President Donald Trump has announced that his administration maintains 100% tariffs on films produced outside the United States, stating that the US film industry is “dying.”
In a post on Truth Social, Trump emphasized that other countries are offering various incentives to lure filmmakers and studios away from the US.
He mentioned that he has authorized the Commerce Department and the US Trade Representative to take action on this issue.
“The American film industry is facing severe challenges,” Trump stated. “Other nations are providing incentives that keep studios and filmmakers from the US. Hollywood and many regions are suffering, and this represents a coordinated threat to our national security.”
This declaration was made public by actor John Voight, whom Trump designated as a special envoy to revitalize Hollywood. Voight noted, “I’ve recently engaged with officials from various guilds and studio leaders,” according to Deadline.
Voight has been meeting with guild leaders and studio heads recently, generating some optimism for potential federal tax incentives. He has long advocated for stronger tax incentives at the federal level rather than relying solely on state tax credits to encourage more production within the US. Union representatives have previously suggested federal tax credits to further promote domestic filmmaking.
“It’s a combination of messaging and propaganda!” Trump further stated. “As a result, I have empowered the Department of Commerce and the US Trade Representative to immediately initiate a 100% tariff on all films produced abroad that come into our country.”
Trump’s remarks follow China’s previous announcement to decrease its imports of Hollywood films in reaction to these tariffs.
