Overview

• Trump made the announcement in a Truth Social post, asserting the U.S. film business has been “robbed” and criticizing California Gov. Gavin Newsom as “weak and incompetent.”
• No details were provided on when the tariff would take effect or whether it would target theatrical releases, streaming, production budgets or box office receipts.
• Industry sources and policy analysts warned the proposal would be legally and operationally complex, threatening co-productions and overseas shoots in common hubs such as Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia.
• The film measure aligns with a wider tariff push, following newly announced duties effective Oct. 1 on pharmaceuticals, kitchen and bath cabinets, upholstered furniture and heavy trucks.
• Early trading showed mixed moves in film-related stocks, with reports noting Netflix slipping at the open as AMC and Disney rose, and analysts observing the plan would effectively tariff a service rather than a physical good.