----- ADS-----
Less than 24 hours after Trump stirred the American film industry by announcing plans to impose “100% tariffs” on all films produced in “foreign lands,” the White House has tempered his words, stating that no final decision has been made.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, White House spokesman Kush Desai said on Trump’s tariff, “Although no final decisions on foreign film tariffs have been made, the Administration is exploring all options to deliver on President Trump’s directive to safeguard our country’s national and economic security while Making Hollywood Great Again.“
Trump’s post to Truth Social on May 4 said the “Movie Industry in America is DYING a very fast death,” citing overseas incentives given to entice filmmakers and studios to produce films overseas. He called this a “concerted effort” by other nations and declared it a “national security threat,” “messaging,” and “propaganda!“
“Therefore, I am authorizing the Department of Commerce, and the United States Trade Representative, to immediately begin the process of instituting a 100% Tariff on any and all Movies coming into our Country that are produced in Foreign Lands. WE WANT MOVIES MADE IN AMERICA, AGAIN!” he concluded.
The post sparked widespread confusion on how Trump’s tariff would be applied and whether it would truly help or hinder the U.S. film industry. There were also concerns regarding other foreign productions such as Korean films and anime content, with the U.S. an important and growing market for film distribution. In recent months, Japanese giant Toho acquired film distributor GKIDS; Bandai Namco Filmworks (BNF) recently announced an American subsidiary BNF America. Sony Pictures and Crunchyroll routinely distribute anime films in the U.S.; the latter today confirmed a sneak peek at the highly anticipated Demon Slayer Kimetsu no Yaiba: Infinity Castle film would be shown at the Mugen Train revival screenings this month.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Featured image © Hiroya Oku, Kodansha / Inuyashiki Anime Production Committee
