Just a day after meeting actor Jon Voight, President Donald Trump unveiled a 100% tariff on the film “I’ve Come In Our Country, Born in Our Country,” while also discussing ideas to revive film production within the United States.
Voight, known for his roles in classics like Midnight Cowboy and Heat, has been designated as Hollywood’s “special ambassador” by Trump. He’s been in talks with studios, streaming services, unions, and guilds over the past several months, aiming to attract film and television productions back to U.S. soil. Many producers often look to countries like Canada, Australia, the UK, New Zealand, Hungary, Italy, and Spain for cheaper filming locations and tax benefits.
This past weekend, Voight, along with his manager and film producer Steven Paul, met with Trump at Mar-A-Lago to explore a “comprehensive plan.”
Details surrounding Voight’s proposal were scant when revealed on Monday, but he did mention that tariffs would only be applied “in certain limited circumstances,” contrasting sharply with Trump’s broad declarations. Key elements of Voight’s proposals include federal tax incentives, adjustments to tax laws, treaties for joint productions with other nations, infrastructure support for theater operators, as well as initiatives for production and post-production companies.
Hollywood continues to film in numerous countries due to these incentives.
Voight stated on Monday that the White House is currently “reviewing” his proposal.
He emphasized, “The President loves the entertainment industry and the country, and he will help us make Hollywood great again.” Voight added that they are eager to work with the administration, unions, studios, and streaming platforms to ensure a thriving industry and facilitate the return of more productions to the U.S.
The White House later clarified, saying there hasn’t been a final decision regarding foreign film tariffs.
Interestingly, film production in Los Angeles has plummeted nearly 40% in the last decade, though not all of that business has moved overseas, as noted by Filmla.
Responses from Hollywood regarding Trump’s announcement seem mixed, especially due to the vagueness of the details. There’s also uncertainty about how “foreign” films will be classified. For instance, while Marvel’s new movie Thunderbolts was primarily shot in the U.S., some filming took place in Malaysia and music scores were recorded in London. The tariffs also don’t tackle the high costs associated with U.S. filming.
The performers union, SAG-AFTRA, expressed its support for initiatives that increase domestic production, advocating for policies that foster competitiveness, boost economic growth, and create solid middle-class jobs for American workers.
Meanwhile, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) called for a “balanced federal response.” IATSE’s president Matthew Loeb remarked that they recommend the Trump administration “level the competitive field for American workers” by introducing federal film production tax incentives along with other domestic provisions. However, since IATSE represents Canadian workers too, Loeb cautioned that overarching trade policies shouldn’t adversely affect Canadian members nor destabilize the entire industry.
In Australia, concerns arose as the country has lured significant U.S. productions through various rebates, including a 30% federal rebate for large-scale films shot there. Projections showed a decline in international productions, dropping below half of the $1.7 billion in Australia’s screen production from 2023-24.
Arts Minister Tony Burke mentioned he is carefully observing the situation, stating, “There is no doubt that we will stand up clearly for the rights of Australia’s screen industry.”
Voight, along with actors Mel Gibson and Sylvester Stallone, has been appointed a “Special Ambassador of Hollywood” by Trump.
