In a stunning new move that could shake up the global film industry, President Donald Trump has officially announced a 100% tariff on all movies produced outside the United States, declaring the shift essential to protecting the American film industry.
“Hollywood is DYING a very fast death,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on May 4, 2025. “Other countries are offering all sorts of incentives to draw our filmmakers and studios away from the United States. This is a concerted effort by other Nations and, therefore, a National Security threat.”
Trump directed the Department of Commerce and the U.S. Trade Representative to begin implementing the new policy immediately, marking one of the most aggressive cultural trade actions in U.S. history.
Trump: Foreign Films Are “Messaging and Propaganda”
Trump claims the decision is not just economic, but ideological. He argued that movies made abroad pose a risk to national values, calling them a form of “messaging and propaganda.” His stated goal is to bring movie production back to American soil, claiming that the once-glorious Hollywood ecosystem has been hollowed out by overseas incentives and cheaper production hubs.
“We want movies made in AMERICA again,” he declared in all caps, echoing his broader “America First” agenda.
Global Fallout and Industry Backlash
The announcement has triggered alarm across the international film community. Countries like Australia and New Zealand, both known for their booming production sectors, immediately pledged to support their industries in response.
Critics warn that the tariff could:
- Drive up costs for studios distributing foreign films in the U.S.
- Strain co-productions between American and foreign talent
- Spark retaliatory tariffs on U.S. exports, including digital media
- Complicate streaming releases, particularly for services like Netflix and Amazon that frequently license or produce global content
Film executives are now scrambling to understand the implications, especially with no clear answers on whether the tariffs will apply to streaming-only releases, international co-productions, or fest circuit films.
Enter: The “Hollywood Ambassadors”
In tandem with the tariff news, Trump also appointed Jon Voight, Mel Gibson, and Sylvester Stallone as Special Ambassadors to Hollywood. Their job? Help revitalize the U.S. film industry and advise the administration on how to restore what Trump calls “The Golden Age of Hollywood.”
While the roles appear largely symbolic, they underscore Trump’s populist messaging. According to his Truth Social post, these actors will be his “eyes and ears” in Hollywood, helping shape future cultural policy.
“They will serve as Special Envoys to me… I will get done what they suggest.”
Mel Gibson, surprised by the announcement, joked, “Any chance the position comes with an ambassador’s residence?” But later confirmed he would “heed the call.” Voight, meanwhile, praised the appointment, saying Trump’s leadership could restore a struggling industry.
What Happens Now?
While Trump has ordered immediate action, no timeline or framework has been released for how the 100% tariffs will be applied or enforced on movies. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has confirmed that internal discussions have begun, and more details are expected in the coming weeks.
Until then, Hollywood, and the world’s filmmakers, are left to prepare for a radically changed marketplace, where global storytelling may come with a massive price tag.
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