Donald Trump has repeated his threat to impose a 100% tariff on all films made outside the United States. He claimed that other nations had “stolen” America’s movie industry.
California suffers most
On Monday, Trump said California faced the heaviest impact. He argued the tariff would “solve this long time, never ending problem”. In May, he had already announced plans to meet Hollywood executives. At that time, he warned the US film industry was dying “a very fast death”.
Tariffs extend to other industries
Trump’s remarks followed a new round of tariffs targeting other sectors. These include a 100% levy on branded or patented drug imports and 50% tariffs on kitchen and bathroom cabinets. On Truth Social, he said America’s movie business had been taken “like stealing candy from a baby”. He also called California’s governor “weak and incompetent”.
Implementation remains uncertain
Trump promised to impose the 100% tariff on “any and all movies made outside of the United States”. He did not indicate when it would take effect. The White House has not responded. It is unclear whether streaming services such as Netflix would be included. No details have been given on how the tariffs would be calculated.
Canada voices concern
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce said it was “deeply concerned” about the proposal. It stressed that US studios rely on Canadian facilities, crews, and talent. Catherine Fortin-LeFaivre, senior vice president for international policy, said the tariffs would punish American studios. She warned the plan would raise costs, deter investment, and harm both economies. She also said it could threaten thousands of middle-class jobs.
Analysts question feasibility
Dan Coatsworth, investment analyst at AJ Bell, said applying the tariffs would be difficult. He explained that tariffs usually target goods, not creative projects. He noted filmmakers often choose foreign locations for better tax incentives. He said the plan “raises more questions than it does answers”. Coatsworth added that defining an American-made movie would be complicated if actors, funding, or directors are foreign. He warned that higher production costs could reduce demand for cinemas and streaming services. Investors, however, seemed largely unconcerned, and Netflix and Disney shares recovered quickly after a brief dip.
More films shot abroad
Recent US productions, including Deadpool & Wolverine, Wicked, and Gladiator II, were filmed overseas. Research firm ProdPro confirmed that the US remains a leading global hub for production. Spending totaled $14.54 billion last year, a 26% drop from 2022. Meanwhile, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the UK have attracted increasing investment.
Britain monitors the situation
Officials in London are awaiting details on how the US tariffs could affect British studios. A Department for Business & Trade spokesperson said the UK film industry employs millions and generates billions for the economy.
Trump expands trade measures
Trump also announced tariffs on wood and furniture on Monday. He set a 10% levy on softwood timber and lumber and 25% tariffs on kitchen cabinets, vanities, and upholstered wooden furniture. Earlier, he previewed the plan on Truth Social. He promised “substantial tariffs on any country that does not make its furniture in the United States”. A presidential proclamation confirmed the tariffs will begin on 14 October. Some levies will rise further next year if no trade agreements are reached. These measures follow Trump’s earlier pledge of 100% tariffs on branded or patented drug imports unless companies build factories in the US.
