Trump Threatens 100% Tariff on Foreign Films, Risks Shaking Hollywood’s Global Reach

President Donald Trump has announced plans to slap a 100% tariff on all movies produced outside the United States, a move that could disrupt Hollywood’s global operations.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump accused foreign countries of “stealing America’s movie industry,” likening it to “stealing candy from a baby.”

He offered no details on how the policy would be implemented or under what legal authority it could be enforced.

Major Hollywood studios — including Warner Bros Discovery, Paramount Skydance, Netflix, and Comcast — have yet to respond, while analysts warn that the proposal could trigger widespread uncertainty across the entertainment sector.

Industry experts caution that the costs would likely climb for both producers and consumers, given Hollywood’s reliance on overseas filming hubs in countries such as Canada, the UK, and Australia.

Despite Trump’s criticism, the U.S. film industry remains a global powerhouse, posting a $15.3 billion trade surplus in 2023 with exports valued at $22.6 billion, according to the Motion Picture Association.

The former president first floated the tariff idea in May. Entertainment unions and guilds at the time urged him instead to support domestic tax incentives, warning that protectionist trade barriers could ultimately hurt American workers engaged in international projects.

Opinion Nigeria News