On Monday, President Donald Trump indicated that he will reach out to Hollywood studios to gauge their support for his proposed imposition of a 100% tariff on films produced outside the United States.
“I am not seeking to harm the industry; rather, I aim to support it,” Trump stated during a press briefing at the White House.
He continued, “We will engage with the industry to ensure their satisfaction, as job creation is a priority for us.”
These remarks followed a social media announcement in which Trump authorized the Commerce Department and the U.S. trade representative to begin the process of imposing a 100% tariff on all foreign-made movies entering the U.S.
While further specifics on the implementation of these tariffs were not provided, White House spokesman Kush Desai clarified on Monday that “no final decisions regarding foreign film tariffs have been made.”
Desai added that “the Administration is evaluating all avenues to fulfill President Trump’s directive aimed at protecting our national and economic interests while revitalizing Hollywood.”
During the press conference, Trump characterized the challenges facing the U.S. film industry as severe, blaming foreign competition and local governance. He described California Governor Gavin Newsom as “grossly incompetent,” claiming that his leadership has led to a decline in the industry.
“Hollywood may have the glitz and glamour, but they are not significantly contributing to the business,” Trump remarked.
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