U.S. President Donald Trump has reignited his pledge to impose a significant tariff on movies produced outside the United States, announcing the measure via his personal Truth Social account. Trump declared that all foreign-produced films would be subject to a 100% tariff, a concept he first introduced in May but had not publicly revisited until now. The immediate implementation and enforcement mechanisms for such a tariff remain unclear at this time.

President Trump justified the move by stating, “Our movie-making business has been stolen from the United States of America, by other Countries, just like stealing ‘candy from a baby.’ California, with its weak and incompetent Governor [Gavin Newsom], has been particularly hard hit!” He continued, “Therefore, in order to solve this long-time, never-ending problem, I will be imposing a 100% Tariff on any and all movies that are made outside of the United States. Thank you for your attention to this matter.” His earlier declaration in May cited foreign productions as a “national security threat” that not only draw filmmakers overseas but also introduce “messaging and propaganda” into the U.S.

Industry experts and economists have previously warned that such a tariff could severely disrupt the Hollywood landscape, potentially halting the production of major motion pictures. Several high-profile films, including upcoming blockbusters like “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” are reportedly filming entirely outside American soil, making them immediate targets of this proposed tariff.

The trend of filming internationally is often driven by attractive tax incentives offered by countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand, which can significantly reduce production costs. Additionally, some movies are filmed overseas because their narratives demand specific international locations, a preference shared by directors like Denis Villeneuve and Christopher Nolan, who often choose on-location shooting over studio soundstages. The uncertainty surrounding presidential authority to institute such a tariff and its practical implementation remains a key concern.

In response to the economic shifts and political discourse, California Governor Gavin Newsom, who was directly referenced by Trump, has been actively advocating for an increase in the state’s tax incentive program, including film credits, to bolster local production in Los Angeles. This development unfolds against a backdrop of a continuing social media feud between Newsom and Trump, with the governor frequently mirroring the president’s unfiltered online style. This tariff announcement also follows a recent public spat involving Trump and late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, whom Trump initially celebrated being fired by Disney for alleged comments, only to threaten ABC with a lawsuit when Kimmel was reinstated. Trump also called for other late-night hosts to be fired, citing “lack of talent and poor numbers.”