U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a 100% tariff on all foreign-made films, claiming that foreign incentives are contributing to the decline of Hollywood and posing a threat to national security.
The announcement came via a post on Trump’s social media platform, Truth Social, where he wrote, “Other countries are luring away our filmmakers with incentives. Hollywood is suffering, and this is a coordinated attack on American culture and security. It’s not just about movies—it’s about messaging and propaganda.”
Trump has directed the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Trade Representative to immediately begin the process of implementing the tariff. However, details on how the tariff will be enforced remain unclear.
He added, “We are making fewer films than ever. Other countries have stolen our film industry. If they don’t want to make movies in America, their films should be taxed.”
Prior to the announcement, Trump appointed actors Sylvester Stallone, Mel Gibson, and Jon Voight as “special envoys” to help revive Hollywood. He stated that they will serve as his “eyes and ears” in restoring what he calls the “golden age” of Hollywood.
In recent years, Hollywood has faced significant challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2023 writers’ and actors’ strike. In 2024, Hollywood studios generated approximately $30 billion globally, a 7% decline from 2023.
Industry experts have warned that the proposed tariff could weaken the U.S. position in the global film market and provoke retaliatory measures from other countries, potentially harming the American film industry.
