U.S. President Donald Trump has announced plans to impose a 100% tariff on all foreign-made films, a sweeping and unprecedented move that could reshape the global entertainment industry.
The announcement, made Monday via Trump’s Truth Social platform, extends his protectionist trade agenda into the cultural sector, which has historically thrived on international collaboration and cross-border revenues.
“Our movie-making business has been stolen from the United States of America by other countries, just like stealing candy from a baby,” Trump wrote.
Industry Reacts with Alarm
The news rattled Hollywood, where studios depend heavily on international box office earnings and partnerships with foreign filmmakers. Shares of Netflix dropped 1.5% in early trading, while major studios such as Warner Bros Discovery, Comcast, and Paramount Skydance declined to comment.
Executives expressed confusion over how the tariffs would be enforced, given that modern filmmaking often involves multiple countries in production, financing, and post-production.
“We’re flummoxed,” one studio executive told Reuters.
Legal Questions Loom
Analysts warn that enforcing the policy will be legally complex. Films are generally classified as intellectual property and part of global trade in services, a sector where the U.S. usually runs a surplus. The rise of international co-productions further complicates identifying the true origin of a film.
Global Fallout Possible
The move could spark retaliatory trade measures from other nations and disrupt long-standing industry models. For Hollywood, this may become one of the most consequential policy shifts in modern history.
The tariff push follows Trump’s July announcement of fresh levies on goods from countries including South Africa, Algeria, Nigeria, and Ghana. Experts believe these escalating measures could accelerate Africa and other regions’ shift toward alternative global trade partners.
For now, both the entertainment industry and international trade observers are bracing for potential upheaval.
