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Trump Says He Will Levy 100% Tariff on All Films Made Outside the U.S.

Absent timing or legal basis, industry groups warn of costly disruption.

Overview

  • The president announced the tariff plan in a Truth Social post and attacked California governor Gavin Newsom, saying the state has been hit hard by lost production.
  • The White House offered no details on when the policy would take effect or how it would be enforced, leaving unanswered whether it would cover theatrical releases, streaming, distribution, or co‑productions.
  • Monday's declaration revives a May threat in which Trump told Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to work on implementation as part of a broader tariff drive.
  • Analysts and studio sources say applying a 100% duty to films would be legally complex because movies function as services rather than tangible imports, with some warning of a near‑total production slowdown.
  • Trade experts and unions caution that foreign retaliation could reduce U.S. box‑office earnings abroad, while countries like the U.K. and Canada that host subsidized shoots could be drawn into disputes.