Trump targets foreign films with 100% tariff

President Donald Trump has announced a 100% tariff on all foreign-made films, citing national security concerns and foreign propaganda. The move has sparked backlash from China, which responded by cutting its quota on American films. With no clear timeline or enforcement details, the policy could disrupt Hollywood’s global presence and reshape international film trade.

US President Donald Trump has announced a 100% tariff on all movies “produced in Foreign Lands,” a move he described on his Truth Social platform as a counter to what he views as foreign attempts to weaken the US film industry. He has directed the U.S. Department of Commerce and the US Trade Representative to begin implementing the measure, though the specifics of enforcement remain unclear. Trump framed the move as a response to global competition, calling foreign films a “National Security threat” and stating, “This is a concerted effort by other nations and, therefore, a National Security threat. It is, in addition to everything else, messaging and propaganda!”

The announcement comes as tensions between the US and China escalate over trade practices. In a swift response, China reduced its quota of American films. The China Film Administration criticized the tariff move, stating, “The wrong action of the US government to abuse tariffs on China will inevitably further reduce the domestic audience’s favourability towards American films.” It added that China would “follow the market rules, respect the audience’s choice, and moderately reduce the number of American films imported.”

China, the world’s second-largest film market, has recently seen a surge in the popularity of domestic films over Hollywood productions. A 100% tariff could pose a major setback for leading studios like Disney, Paramount, and Warner Bros., all of which are still recovering from pandemic-era disruptions. The added strain of this policy could reshape international film distribution and creative collaborations.

While critics argue that the tariff may isolate the US from global creative markets, supporters view it as a necessary step to defend American jobs and revitalize the domestic film industry. However, without clarity on its implementation, the true impact of the policy remains uncertain.