In an effort to revive domestic film production, President Trump announced a proposed 100% tariff on movies made outside the U.S. The move targets decades-long industry trends, where studios have shifted production overseas to countries like Canada, the U.K., Australia, and others offering attractive tax incentives. This outsourcing has led to a steep decline in film-related jobs in Los Angeles, already struggling from pandemic-era shutdowns, industry strikes, and cutbacks from media giants reshaping their business models.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated, “I am authorizing the 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,” adding, “WE WANT MOVIES MADE IN AMERICA, AGAIN!”
The announcement, part of Trump’s broader tariff-driven trade strategy, sparked confusion within the industry. Experts questioned how such a tariff would apply, considering that many films are international collaborations with production, post-production, and talent spread across countries.
No immediate details clarified whether U.S. studios filming abroad would also be subject to the tariff. The Motion Picture Association has yet to comment.
Trump framed the policy as a response to what he described as a national security threat posed by other countries luring American filmmakers. Production activity in L.A. dropped 22.4% year-over-year in early 2025, according to FilmLA.
Trump has also appointed actors Jon Voight, Sylvester Stallone, and Mel Gibson as “special ambassadors” to support Hollywood’s comeback, though they’ve remained largely inactive. Voight’s manager, Steven Paul, recently suggested federal tax incentives as a more viable solution.
Industry insiders like producer Randy Greenberg warn the tariffs could backfire, raising costs and ticket prices, pushing audiences away from theaters. “You see where this is going,” Greenberg wrote on LinkedIn.
