Photo: AFP
US President Donald Trump has announced the introduction of a 100% duty on all foreign films, calling it a response to the threat to national security. He made the announcement on Sunday, 4 May, on his Truth Social platform.
“I am authorising the Department of Commerce and the US Trade Representative to immediately begin the process of imposing a 100% tariff on any films imported into our country,” Trump wrote.
According to the president, the US film industry is “dying a very quick death” because other countries offer financial incentives to lure directors, studios and actors from the US.
“This is a coordinated effort that threatens our national security. It’s not just business – it’s also messages, propaganda, influence,” Trump added.
He stressed that the US should bring film production back home:
“We want films made in America again.”
This statement has already provoked reactions from both the film industry and politicians: some see the decision as economic protectionism, while others see it as censorship under the guise of security.
