U.S. President Donald Trump has renewed his threat to impose a 100% tariff on films made outside the United States, blaming foreign countries for what he calls the systematic “theft” of the American movie industry.
In a fiery post on Truth Social Monday, Trump accused other nations of draining Hollywood’s influence and revenue, likening it to “stealing candy from a baby.”
“In order to solve this long time, never ending problem, I will be imposing a 100% tariff on any and all movies that are made outside of the United States,” Trump wrote.
The statement offered no specific timeline or details on how the policy would be implemented, and it’s unclear whether such a measure would apply to streaming platforms, independent productions, or television series, which now constitute a major portion of global entertainment exports and imports.
Hollywood Under Pressure
Trump’s remarks come as Hollywood continues to grapple with recovery from a challenging period marked by pandemic-era shutdowns, shifting viewing habits, and recent labor strikes involving actors and writers.
The U.S. film industry, which generated over $279 billion in sales and supported 2.3 million jobs in 2022, according to the Motion Picture Association, has struggled to return to pre-COVID levels of production and box office performance.
While the U.S. remains a global leader in entertainment, international studios—especially in Asia, Europe, and Latin America—have increasingly gained market share in global streaming and theatrical releases.
Latest in a Wave of Trade Threats
Trump’s renewed film tariff threat follows his broader announcement this week of sweeping tariffs on branded pharmaceutical products, furniture, and heavy-duty trucks. The US president has continued to tout his “America First” economic policy, especially as he eyes a potential return to the White House in the 2024 elections.
“They have taken our business away, and nobody stopped them. Not Biden, not Obama. Weak leadership,” Trump wrote.
He also took aim at California Governor Gavin Newsom, calling him “weak and incompetent,” and blaming him for Hollywood’s alleged decline.
A Repeat Warning
This isn’t the first time Trump has floated the idea of taxing foreign-made films. Back in May 2025, he claimed that the U.S. movie industry was “dying a very fast death”, and said he had authorized the Department of Commerce and the U.S. Trade Representative to begin the process of exploring a film tariff.
At the time, industry analysts questioned the practicality and legality of such a move, especially under existing World Trade Organization (WTO) rules and U.S. international trade agreements.
Unclear Implications for Global Film Market
While Trump’s latest comments do not constitute formal policy, they have already sparked concern among film distributors and international partners. If enacted, such tariffs could lead to:
- Increased costs for international films entering the U.S. market
- Retaliatory measures from other countries against U.S. films
- Disruptions in global film festival circuits and streaming platform content
Streaming giants such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+ increasingly rely on international content to satisfy growing global audiences, raising questions about how such tariffs could be enforced in the digital space.
