President Donald Trump on Monday announced a 100% tariff on “any and all” movies produced outside the U.S.
Trump shared the announcement on his Truth Social platform, arguing that the U.S. film industry is falling behind international competitors. The president first floated the idea of a movie tariff in May, ordering federal agencies to begin evaluating the measure.
“Our movie making business has been stolen from the United States of America, by other Countries, just like stealing ‘candy from a baby,’” Trump wrote. “California, with its weak and incompetent Governor, has been particularly hard hit! 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.”
Spending on film and television productions in the U.S. with budgets over $40 million fell 26% in 2024 compared to 2022, according to research firm ProdPro.
Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s press office responded to the president’s announcement on X, stating “his actions will cause irreparable damage to the U.S. film industry,” describing the move as “100% stupid.”
The new tariffs come just days after Trump announced 100% tariffs on Thursday on pharmaceutical products, effective Oct. 1, unless the drugmaker is building a manufacturing plant in the U.S. He also unveiled 25% tariffs on large trucks, 50% on kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities, and related goods, and a 30% tariff on upholstered furniture.
Each of the three product categories announced Thursday was the subject of a Commerce Department investigation under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, which examines how imports affect national security. It remains unclear which legal authority the administration will cite to justify tariffs on foreign films.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled in early September that the administration exceeded its authority to impose sweeping “Liberation Day” tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. The court allowed the tariffs to remain in place through Oct. 14, giving the administration time to appeal to the Supreme Court.
The White House did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.
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