President Donald Trump reignited his threat of imposing 100% tariffs on movies that are made outside of the United States.
“Our movie making business has been stolen from the United States of America, by other Countries, just like stealing ‘candy from a baby,’” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “California, with its weak and incompetent Governor, has been particularly hard hit! Therefore, in order to solve this long time, never ending problem, I will be imposing a 100% Tariff on any and all movies that are made outside of the United States.”
In May, Trump first called for a 100% tariff on movies filmed outside of the country. Following Trump’s announcement on Truth Social in May, Jon Voight, his ambassador to Hollywood, unveiled a plan which would seek to attract studios to film in the United States by offering lucrative tax credits, rivaling those offered in foreign countries. While studios and directors will often choose to film overseas because that is the setting of the movie’s plot; there’s been a growing number of projects being filmed in countries like Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom because these countries offer better tax incentives than Hollywood.
In the first half of 2025, the United States was leading with the most number of film projects with budgets greater than $10 million with 216 projects and the most money money spent at $7.2 billion, according to data collected by ProdPro. The data & insights company compared to year-over production the United States, which saw a 27% decline in production spending a 10% decline in projects. Meanwhile, Australia saw a 87% increase in production spending a 30% increase in film count according to ProdPro.
Trump’s political enemy Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) that he supports Trump’s calls to ensure that movie production continues to stay domestic. However, he showed uncertainty about using tariffs.
“I strongly support bringing movie making back to California and the U.S.,” Schiff wrote on X which included a photo of Trump’s announcement. “Congress should pass a bipartisan globally-competitive federal film incentive to bring back production and jobs, rather than levy a tariff that could have unintended and damaging consequences.”
“We have an opportunity to pass a major federal film tax credit,” Schiff wrote. “I’m ready to work with this administration and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to get it done.”
With many film projects occurring overseas and elsewhere in the United States like in Georgia, California Gavin Newsom more than doubled the tax credit program for film and television production projects from $330 million to $750 million in July.
The National News Desk reached out to the White House for comment.
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