On a recent Sunday evening, President Donald Trump announced a bold move to impose a 100% tariff on foreign-produced movies. He expressed concern over the state of the American movie industry, claiming it is in serious decline. According to Trump, other countries are luring filmmakers away from the U.S. with various incentives, which he believes poses a national security threat.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated, “The Movie Industry in America is DYING a very fast death.” He emphasized that this is not just an economic issue but also a matter of messaging and propaganda. As a result, he has instructed the Department of Commerce and the United States Trade Representative to start the process of implementing this hefty tariff. “WE WANT MOVIES MADE IN AMERICA, AGAIN!” he declared.
Trump was traveling back to Washington, D.C., from Florida aboard Air Force One when he made the announcement. He was accompanied by Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who later confirmed on social media that they are moving forward with the directive.
The Hollywood Reporter highlighted that several high-budget films, such as “Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning” and “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” are currently being filmed overseas. It remains uncertain how these projects will be affected by the new tariff.
This announcement comes just over 100 days into Trump’s second term, during which he has already introduced various tariffs on foreign imports. Last month, he unveiled the “Liberation Day” tariffs, initially imposing a 10% rate on many imports, which he later adjusted after a brief pause. Notably, tariffs on China were raised to 145% following retaliatory actions from Beijing.
During his flight, Trump mentioned that trade deals could be on the horizon in the coming week. His administration is actively working to address what they describe as serious trade imbalances. However, some members of Congress, including both Democrats and a few Republicans, have attempted to limit Trump’s authority to impose tariffs, citing concerns about potential economic fallout.
In addition to the tariff announcement, Trump also revealed plans to reopen the notorious Alcatraz prison, adding another layer to his administration’s focus on bold initiatives.