Trump Proposes Tariff on Foreign Films, Sparking Industry Concerns
Former President Donald Trump recently announced his intention to impose a 100% tariff on foreign-made films, a move that would represent a departure from his previous tariff implementations which focused on goods. He did not specify a timeline or method for enacting the tariff.
The proclamation drew immediate criticism from california Governor Gavin Newsom, who stated via X (formerly Twitter) that Trump’s actions would “cause irreparable damage to the U.S. film industry” and labeled the move “100% stupid.” Newsom’s office linked the statement to a May report in The hill detailing a previous drop in Hollywood studio stocks following Trump’s initial vow to implement such a tariff.
Determining the exact number of globally produced feature films originating in the United States is complex. Film industry data researcher Stephen follows notes the prevalence of multi-national productions and the lack of a comprehensive tracking system. According to Follows’ analysis, major Hollywood studios produced 87.3% of global feature films in 2024,while American films accounted for roughly one-third of all international feature films as 2000.
follows’ data indicates the U.S. currently leads in global movie production, followed by India, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Canada. he also found that the top 200 grossing films since 2000 were filmed in an average of 1.6 countries, with 23.9% of films listing the U.S. as their country of origin also having shot scenes in the U.K. or Canada. Implementing the tariff would necessitate a clear definition of what constitutes an “American” film.
The Motion Picture Association has not yet commented on Trump’s latest announcement, but has previously highlighted that the U.S. exports three times as many films as it imports.
California recently took steps to bolster its film industry with an expansion of its film and television tax credit programme, increasing funding from $330 million to $750 million. This expansion has already attracted 22 new television projects to the state.
However, despite these efforts, only one in five TV shows and movies are currently filmed in Los Angeles, historically the center of the industry. Rising costs, less competitive incentives compared to other locations, and the 2023 writers’ and actors’ strikes have contributed to a decline in local production. FilmLA reported a 6.2% decrease in on-location filming in Los Angeles during the second quarter of 2025 compared to the same period the previous year, with feature film shooting days down 21.4%.
This decline in production carries significant economic consequences for California, the fourth-largest economy in the world. The California Production Coalition estimates each location shoot contributes $670,000 and 1,500 jobs to the local economy,and the state is home to approximately 10,500 entertainment-related businesses according to a report from beacon Economics.
