Trump to slap 100 % import tariff on foreign-made films, vows to revive Hollywood

US president Donald Trump has ordered the Commerce Department and US Trade Representative to draft a 100 % import tariff on any feature film made outside the United States, saying runaway production incentives abroad are “killing Hollywood at a very fast pace.” The blanket levy, unveiled on Truth Social, could cover theatrical releases and streaming titles, though the White House offered no details on how a “foreign” film would be defined or whether US studios shooting in places such as Canada or the UK would also be hit.

Industry groups from London to Sydney warned of serious collateral damage. UK union Bectu said the move could deliver a “knock-out blow” to the 100,000-plus freelancers who power Britain’s booming studios, while Australia’s government vowed to “stand up unequivocally” for its screen sector. Analysts fear retaliation: if Europe or China mirror the tariff, US blockbusters could lose billions in overseas box-office revenue.

Hollywood itself is split. Studio chiefs lobbied quietly for bigger domestic tax breaks but fret that Trump’s measure will raise costs and complicate financing models that rely on global locations and subsidies. Questions also swirl about enforcement on streaming platforms such as Netflix and Amazon Prime. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said only, “We’re on it,” as lawyers scramble to draft rules before the policy’s expected rollout this summer.