U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 100% tariff on all foreign-produced films, claiming the decline of Hollywood poses a national security risk.
The announcement came in a statement released early Monday morning, in which Trump argued that American filmmakers are increasingly lured abroad by more lucrative incentives, weakening the domestic movie industry. Labeling the situation “a very fast death” for Hollywood, Trump said the drastic measure is necessary to “save” the American film sector.
“The movie industry in America is dying a very fast death. Hollywood, and many other areas within the U.S.A., are being devastated,” Trump said. “This is a concerted effort by other nations, and therefore, a national security threat. It is, in addition to everything else, messaging and propaganda!”
Trump added that he has authorized the U.S. Department of Commerce and the United States Trade Representative to “immediately begin the process of instituting a 100% tariff on any and all movies coming into our country that are produced in foreign lands.”
In a slogan reminiscent of his political campaigns, he declared, “We want movies made in America, again!”
The move comes at a time when the U.S. box office, though still recovering from the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic and widespread Hollywood strikes, has shown resilience. Last year, box office revenues reached approximately $8.7 billion—only slightly down from 2023’s $9 billion—according to recent industry data. Analysts had projected continued growth into 2025.
Critics have swiftly condemned Trump’s proposal, warning that the sweeping tariff could undermine the film industry’s global partnerships and creative exchanges. International co-productions have become a staple of modern filmmaking, and many worry the tariff could isolate the U.S. from the global cinematic landscape.
“This tariff is out of step with the realities of the industry,” said one Hollywood executive, speaking on condition of anonymity. “The recovery is happening. We need collaboration, not isolation.”
There are also concerns about potential retaliatory trade actions from other countries, which could extend trade disputes into the cultural and creative sectors—areas traditionally spared from such economic skirmishes.
This policy adds to a long list of aggressive trade actions under Trump’s administration. Since taking office, he has introduced broad tariffs including a universal 10% import tax, country-specific duties, and complex secondary tariffs targeting third-party trade. Analysts say this is the most protectionist U.S. trade posture since the 1930s.
Whether the tariff will stand legal or international scrutiny remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Trump’s latest move has reignited debate over how far national security concerns should reach—and whether culture and commerce should ever be in the same battlefield.
