Trump Announces 100% Tariff on Foreign Films, Cites National Security Threat

US President Donald Trump has proposed a 100% tariff on all foreign-made films, calling international movie production a threat to American jobs and national security.

In a dramatic policy shift, President Donald Trump on Sunday directed the Department of Commerce and the US Trade Representative (USTR) to begin formal procedures to impose a 100% tariff on all films produced outside the United States. The announcement was made via a post on his Truth Social platform.

Trump accused foreign governments of undermining the American film industry by offering tax incentives to attract US film production overseas. “The American movie industry is dying a very fast death,” he wrote. “This is a concerted effort by other Nations and, therefore, a National Security threat.

“The  president emphasised the need to bring film production back to American soil, echoing his earlier “America First” rhetoric. “We want movies made in America again!” Trump declared, adding that the tariffs aim to “level the playing field” for domestic filmmakers and create local jobs.

Trump also labelled foreign film content as a form of “messaging and propaganda,” suggesting it could influence American audiences and values.

Experts warn the move could backfire, especially for US studios like Disney, Paramount, and Warner Bros., which frequently shoot abroad to reduce production costs. According to CNN, the tariffs could further strain Hollywood’s recovery following COVID-19-related disruptions and a year of strikes.

“This policy, if implemented, will place a heavy financial burden on studios and ultimately restrict creative freedom,” an unnamed Hollywood executive told the outlet.

The tariff announcement comes just weeks after China moved to cut back on the number of Hollywood movies entering its domestic market—a retaliatory step following new US levies on Chinese imports. China remains the second-largest film market globally, and restrictions there have already impacted American studios’ revenue streams.

Trump’s latest move represents a departure from his previous tariff strategy, which primarily targeted physical goods like steel, electronics, and agriculture. If enforced, this would mark the first time the US imposes duties specifically aimed at the service sector—particularly entertainment.