U.S. President Donald Trump's surprise announcement of a 100% tariff on films produced outside America has triggered alarm across the global entertainment industry. In a Sunday social media post, Trump declared the U.S. movie industry "DYING a very fast death" and vowed to implement the unprecedented trade measure.
The policy proposal drew immediate criticism from industry leaders. Major studios and streaming platforms fear the tariffs would raise production costs by hundreds of millions annually, potentially reshaping how films are made globally. Carter Evans of CBS News described Hollywood's response as a "five-alarm fire," particularly for independent creators who rely on international filming locations to stretch budgets.
Financial markets reflected the uncertainty, with Netflix shares dropping nearly 3% Monday morning. Analysts suggest the tariffs could disrupt filming schedules for major franchises and complicate partnerships with international talent. Streaming executives told CNN Business the move might force studios to rewrite scripts set in foreign locations or abandon projects entirely.
While aimed at reviving domestic film production, critics argue the tariffs could undermine America's cultural influence by making U.S.-backed projects prohibitively expensive. The proposal comes as Asian streaming markets and film industries continue expanding, potentially reshaping global entertainment economics.
