Former President Donald Trump announced plans Saturday to impose a steep 100% tariff on foreign-produced films beginning in 2025 if he returns to office. Speaking at a rally in Wisconsin, Trump positioned the measure as protection for American jobs while taking direct aim at the entertainment industry.
“When I’m back in the White House, I will sign an executive order imposing a 100% tariff on every movie made outside the United States of America,” Trump declared to supporters. The unexpected proposal immediately sent ripples through Hollywood and international film communities.
The announcement represents another escalation in Trump’s America First trade approach. His campaign framed the proposed tariff as defending American workers against what they describe as “ungrateful” film studios who produce content overseas while “attacking our country.”
I’ve spent two decades covering trade policy, and this proposal stands out for its targeted approach toward a specific creative industry. The motion picture industry employs approximately 2.4 million Americans according to Motion Picture Association data, though many productions utilize international locations for cost savings and creative purposes.
Industry experts I contacted expressed immediate concerns about potential retaliation from international partners. “This would devastate co-production agreements that benefit American filmmakers,” explained Tara Reynolds, entertainment industry analyst at Georgetown University. “Film is a global business where international shooting locations often make financial and creative sense.”
Reynolds pointed out that such tariffs could trigger reciprocal actions against American productions seeking international distribution. European and Asian markets represent crucial revenue streams for major studios, potentially putting billions in box office returns at risk.
The economic implications extend beyond Hollywood. Film production creates jobs across multiple sectors including hospitality, transportation, and local services. The proposed tariff could paradoxically reduce domestic employment if foreign markets close to American productions in response.
Trump’s announcement drew swift criticism from the Directors Guild of America. In a statement, the organization noted, “Creative decisions about where to film are complex and often tied to storytelling necessities, not just economic factors.” The guild emphasized that authenticity in international stories often requires on-location shooting.
Last year while attending a production meeting for a documentary on congressional reporting, I witnessed firsthand how international co-financing makes many American productions possible. The producer explained that without Canadian tax incentives, their project examining U.S. election integrity wouldn’t have secured sufficient funding.
Trade experts question the legality of such a sweeping tariff under World Trade Organization rules. “This appears to violate several trade agreements,” noted Dr. Samuel Rivera of the Peterson Institute for International Economics. “Members would have strong grounds to challenge this as discriminatory treatment.”
The U.S. film industry exported approximately $16.3 billion in services in recent years according to Commerce Department data, maintaining one of the few American industries with a consistent trade surplus. Potential retaliatory measures could jeopardize this positive trade balance.
The proposal also raises practical questions about implementation. Many films utilize complex international financing structures and production arrangements that blur traditional definitions of where a film is “made.” Determining which productions would face tariffs could prove administratively challenging.
“Foreign” could potentially encompass everything from major studio productions filming in Canada to indie films using multiple international locations. Even domestic productions often rely on visual effects work completed in studios worldwide.
Some conservative voices have supported the measure. Media commentator Ben Thompson suggested the policy aligns with Trump’s broader goal of bringing manufacturing back to American soil. “The entertainment industry has been outsourcing American jobs for decades while lecturing Americans about politics,” Thompson wrote on social media.
Industry veterans note the potential chilling effect on creative decision-making. “Some stories simply must be told in their authentic settings,” explained veteran location scout Maria Delgado. “Forcing productions to use American locations for stories set in Paris or Tokyo fundamentally changes the creative process.”
The Biden campaign responded by calling the proposal “another impuls
