Using resources from the Department of Commerce and US Trade Representative, Donald Trump has announced its intention to apply for 100% customs on all films brought to America from another country. This includes films made by American companies such as Netflix abroad in areas with better tax incentives, for example UK And South Africa.
Trump wrote about Truth Social and said: “The film industry in America dies a very rapid death. Other countries offer all possible incentives to pull our filmmakers and studios away from the United States. Hollywood and many other areas within the United States are destroyed.”
Trump continued to claim that production Moving abroad was part of a “coordinated effort” of foreign countries to undermine US operations and call it “a national security threat.”
“It is, in addition to everything else, messages and propaganda!” Trump wrote. “Therefore, I approve the Department of Trade and the US Trade Representative to immediately begin the process of introducing 100% customs on all films entering our country produced in foreign countries. We want films made in America, again!”
Hollywood has been on the president’s hit list from the beginning of its second administration. One of his first action in the office was to name Mel Gibson, Sylvester Stallone and Jon Voight as “Special Ambassadors” To fix a sick Hollywood. Although not much has been heard from Gibson or Stallone about this effort, Voight has made the rounds with various trade union reps and studio leaders (according to the deadline). Many people were hopeful that this could lead to a possible federal tax incentive for production throughout the United States, but when it has become Trump’s new favorite toy, it seems that a duty is what we get.
It is unclear if this tariff will apply to films alone or also include other media such as TV, music videos or advertising, but in that case it may be more harm than good. At the same time, if studios are suddenly incentives to bring production back to the states and especially Hollywood, perhaps Trump’s game could pay off. However, Hans is not the only strategy for getting the production back.
In October 2024, California Governor Gavin Newsom Filed a proposal to increase the state’s tax program to $ 750 million, over twice as much as it is currently cut. Others have offered additional increases, which indicates that no hat is placed on this figure. Voting for this initiative will take place this summer.
