Labeling a pressing “National Security threat” that requires immediate action, President Donald Trump is fighting to save America’s dying movie industry.
Specifically, the president is slapping a bold 100% tariff on foreign films, targeting runaway productions.
The move is seen as a response to foreign countries that use incentives to lure away American filmmaking and spread propaganda.
President Trump announced the decisive action on Truth Social, instructing the Department of Commerce and U.S. Trade Representative to begin implementing the sweeping tariff immediately.
The unprecedented move comes as American film production has dramatically declined.
Studios are increasingly filming overseas to take advantage of tax breaks and incentives offered by foreign governments.
The president declared:
“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. This is a concerted effort by other Nations and, therefore, a National Security threat.
“It is, in addition to everything else, 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!”
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick immediately backed the president’s initiative, responding with a simple commitment: “We’re on it.”
This quick response signals the administration’s serious intent to transform the entertainment landscape and protect American jobs from foreign competition.
The president’s order comes as FilmLA has reported dramatic drops in feature film production levels in California.
While Governor Gavin Newsom and California Democrats have allowed Hollywood to deteriorate under their watch, President Trump is taking concrete action to reverse the decline.
Despite these challenges, box office numbers have increased by 15.8% in 2025, showing Americans still hunger for quality entertainment.
President Trump has also enlisted Hollywood talent to assist with the initiative.
Longtime Trump supporter Jon Voight has been working on a plan to introduce federal tax incentives to make American film production more competitive.
Voight and action stars Sylvester Stallone and Mel Gibson have been appointed “Special Hollywood Ambassadors” to help implement the president’s vision.
The tariffs specifically target films, not television productions, and are designed to level the playing field against countries that have been actively undermining America’s entertainment industry.
The measure could significantly impact major studios like Disney, Sony, Universal, and Warner Bros., all of which have established substantial international production operations at the expense of American workers.
While details of implementation remain to be clarified, particularly regarding streaming services and digital distribution, the message is clear: America’s cultural exports should be made by American workers on American soil.
The move represents another example of Trump’s commitment to putting American interests first and protecting vital industries from foreign interference.
For the thousands of lighting technicians, camera operators, set builders, and other industry professionals who have lost their livelihoods to overseas production, President Trump’s action represents hope for the future of American filmmaking.
