Title: Trump Proposes 100% Tariff on Foreign-Made Films

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced plans to impose a 100% tariff on all films produced outside the United States. In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated, "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, has been particularly hard hit." He emphasized that this tariff is intended to address what he described as a long-standing issue in the film industry.

This announcement follows Trump's earlier comments in May, where he labeled foreign-made Hollywood films as a "National Security threat." He expressed concern that the American movie industry is rapidly declining, stating, "The movie industry in America is DYING a very fast death. Other countries are offering all sorts of incentives to draw our filmmakers and studios away from the United States. Hollywood, and many other areas within the U.S.A., are being devastated."

Trump has previously characterized productions filmed outside the U.S. as a form of "messaging and propaganda." He indicated that he would authorize the Department of Commerce and the United States Trade Representative to begin the process of instituting the tariff, declaring, "WE WANT MOVIES MADE IN AMERICA, AGAIN!"

In comments to reporters, Trump claimed that other nations have been "stealing the … movie-making capability of the United States." If implemented, this tariff could significantly impact the Canadian film and television industry, which has attracted numerous productions due to tax incentives. In 2022, major Hollywood studios and streaming services contributed $3.15 billion to Ontario's economy, employing over 35,000 people. In 2023, the industry added $1.8 billion to the provincial economy.

Prominent studios such as Amazon-MGM, Paramount, and Netflix have utilized Toronto's facilities for various productions. Notable projects include Guillermo del Toro's films, Apple’s post-apocalyptic drama "See," and Disney's recent Christmas movie featuring the Jonas Brothers. Ontario Premier Doug Ford has expressed a desire to see $5 billion in film and television production in the province.

Trump has not detailed how he plans to implement the tariffs. However, he previously announced that he would appoint Hollywood actors Mel Gibson, Sylvester Stallone, and Jon Voight as special ambassadors to help revitalize the industry. He stated, "It is my honour to announce Jon Voight, Mel Gibson, and Sylvester Stallone, to be Special Ambassadors to a great but very troubled place, Hollywood, California. They will serve as special envoys to me for the purpose of bringing Hollywood, which has lost much business over the last four years to foreign countries, BACK — BIGGER, BETTER, AND STRONGER THAN EVER BEFORE!"