Donald Trump
has imposed a 100% tax on movies made outside the United States, stating that the American film sector is facing \”a rapid demise\” because of the benefits other nations are providing to attract U.S. filmmakers.
\”This is a coordinated action by other countries, hence posing a national security threat. Furthermore, this includes elements of messaging and propaganda!\” the President stated in a post on Truth Social.
Trump added: “WE WANT MOVIES MADE IN AMERICA, AGAIN!”
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said: “We’re on it” in a post on X.
It is not yet clear how any such tariff on international productions could be implemented.
Large and small films often choose to set up productions in both the United States and various other nations. Numerous high-cost movies are filmed globally.
On Monday, leaders in Australia and New Zealand responded to the announcement, saying they would advocate for their local industries.
Some
Marvel superhero movies
have been filmed in Australia, while New Zealand was the backdrop for
The Lord of the Rings
.
Over the years, incentive programs have steered movie productions towards certain locations, often pushing filmmakers away from California to other regions and nations providing attractive tax benefits, such as Britain.
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Nevertheless, Hollywood-made films significantly overshadow the local movie industry in terms of market presence.
China has increased its local film production significantly, leading to the animated blockbuster.
Ne Zha 2
earning over $2 billion (£1.5 billion) this year – though nearly all of these sales were generated from mainland China. In North America, it only made $20.9 million (£15.7 million).
Trump has long voiced concern about film production moving overseas.
Just before assuming his position, he revealed that he had enlisted actors.
Mel Gibson
, Jon Voight and
Sylvester Stallone
To act as \”special envoys\” to Hollywood with the mission of returning it \”BIGGER, BETTER, AND STRONGER THAN EVER BEFORE!\”
US film and television production has been hampered in recent years by the Covid-19 pandemic, the
Hollywood guild strikes
from 2023 and the recent wildfires in the Los Angeles region.
The
wildfires that destroyed sections of LA
in January accelerated concerns that producers may look elsewhere, and that camera operators, costume designers, sound technicians and other behind-the-scenes workers might move out of town.
Film and television production in LA has fallen by nearly 40 per cent over the last decade, according to FilmLA, a non-profit organisation that tracks the region’s production.
According to ProdPro\’s data, overall production in the US decreased by 26% last year compared to 2021.
The organization\’s yearly poll of business leaders, which queried their preferences for shooting locales, revealed that no American destination ranked among the top five choices, as per the findings.
The Hollywood Reporter
.
The United Kingdom, Toronto, Vancouver, Central Europe, and Australia led the rankings, followed closely by California in sixth position. Georgia took seventh place, New Jersey claimed eighth, and New York rounded off the top nine spots.
In a separate post on Sunday, Trump
mentioned he had instructed the ex-famous jail Alcatraz
— now a sought-after destination for tourists — to be reopened for America’s “most ruthless” offenders.