Overview

• The president announced on Monday that films made outside the United States would face a 100% tariff, reviving a proposal floated earlier this year.
• The White House previously said no final decisions had been made, and key details remain unclear, including how titles would be classified or how digital and streaming releases would be treated.
• Trade guidance notes services are not subject to tariffs, prior court rulings under IEEPA protect informational materials like films, and any national-security justification under Section 232 would likely face court challenges.
• A civil-liberties group warned that calling foreign films “propaganda” and penalizing their distribution risks unconstitutional retaliation against protected speech under the First Amendment.
• Industry analysts highlight heavy reliance on overseas revenue and cross-border production, warning of higher costs and potential retaliation, with South Africa cited as a market that could lose Hollywood shoots as leaders urge tax incentives instead of tariffs.