US President Donald Trump has said he will attack films made abroad at 100% tariffs to strengthen trade disputes with countries around the world.
Trump said the American film industry was dying “very fast deaths” and he was allowing the process to begin taxing US trade representatives.
He condemned “cooperative efforts” by other countries that provided incentives to attract filmmakers and studios.
“It’s message and propaganda, along with everything else!” Trump said on his true social platform. “We want a film made in America again!”
Since returning to the White House in January, Trump has imposed tariffs on countries around the world.
He claims tariffs will increase US manufacturers and protect jobs, but as a result, the global economy is expected to plunge into chaos and prices for goods around the world will rise.
Prior to the inauguration, Trump appointed three film stars of three film stars — John Voight, Mel Gibson and Sylvester Stallone — to become special ambassadors tasked with promoting business opportunities in Hollywood.
“They will serve as special envoys for me with the aim of bringing Hollywood, which has lost so many business abroad in the past four years, Trump wrote at the time.
The US remains a major film production hub around the world despite the challenges, according to film industry research firm ProdPro.
According to its latest annual report, the country has seen production spending of $14.544 billion (£109.44 billion) last year. However, that has fallen 26% since 2022.
Countries with spending increased over the same period include Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the UK, according to the report.
Even before this latest announcement, the US film industry was affected by fallout from Trump’s trade policy.
In April, China said it was reducing the allocation of American films allowed within the country.
“The misbehavior of the US government to abuse tariffs on China will inevitably further reduce the domestic audience’s favour of American films,” the Chinese Film Administration said.
“We follow market rules, respect the choices of our audience, and moderately reduce the number of imported American films.”
Trump is the most violent attack on China with his tariff Salvo, imposing an import tax of up to 145% on goods from there.
His administration said last month that taxation on some Chinese goods could reach 245% if new tariffs are added to existing tariffs.
Beijing fought back with a 125% import duties on goods from the US.
Currently, other countries face 10% blanket tariffs until July expires the higher tax suspension.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday in Air Force 1, Trump said he has met with many countries, including China, about trade deals.
However, he added that he had no plans to talk to his Chinese counterpart XI Jinping this week – despite previous reports that Washington has approached Beijing about holding a trade talk.
When asked if the trade deal would be announced this week, Trump said it would “do very well,” but there were no details.
