In a move that’s already shaking the foundations of international film production, former U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a sweeping 100% tariff on all films produced outside the United States. The bombshell declaration, made via a fiery post on Truth Social, frames the global entertainment landscape as a battlefield—and Trump says he’s drawing a hard line to defend what’s left of Hollywood.
Calling foreign production incentives a “national security threat,” Trump accused other nations of waging an economic propaganda war by luring American filmmakers abroad. “The American movie industry is dying a very fast death,” he warned, blaming what he calls “a concerted effort” to hollow out Hollywood.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick added fuel to the fire with a brief message on X: “We’re on it.” But with no clear roadmap for how the tariff will be enforced—or what counts as a “foreign” film—confusion reigns.
Reaction was swift and fierce. The Canadian Media Producers Association slammed the proposed tariff, warning it could wreak havoc on film sectors in both countries. “This would inflict serious damage across the industry,” the CMPA said.
Cities like Toronto and Vancouver, long seen as go-to destinations for Hollywood shoots thanks to generous tax credits and top-tier talent, now face an uncertain future. Toronto officials said they’re “actively reviewing” the potential fallout, noting the city had just clinched the top spot for studio production locations for 2025–2026.
The bigger picture? Hollywood’s been bleeding productions for years, driven by more competitive incentives overseas, COVID-era shifts to streaming, and a rollercoaster economy. According to FilmLA, production in Los Angeles has plummeted by nearly 40% in the past decade, and it’s not just foreign competition—natural disasters like the January wildfires haven’t helped.
Big-name studios like Netflix and Disney have already taken much of their work abroad. In fact, by 2023, over half of all major productions were being shot outside the U.S., with locations like the U.K., Australia, and Central Europe soaring in popularity. California, once king of the silver screen, now ranks a distant sixth.
Trump’s tariff plan, though lacking in details, may mark a turning point—or spark an industry rebellion.
