Trump threatens 100% tariff on foreign-made films, raising concerns in Hollywood

President Donald Trump on Monday reiterated his threat to impose a 100% tariff on films produced overseas and imported into the United States, a move that analysts and industry executives say could disrupt Hollywood’s global business model.

The proposal, first mentioned by Trump in May, would extend his protectionist trade policies into cultural industries that rely heavily on cross-border co-productions and international box-office revenue.

“Our movie making business has been stolen from the United States of America, by other countries, just like stealing candy from a baby,” Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform.

It remains unclear what legal authority Trump would use to implement such tariffs. The White House did not respond to a Reuters request for clarification on how the measure would be enforced.

Major U.S. studios including Warner Bros Discovery, Paramount Skydance, and Netflix declined to comment. Comcast also opted not to respond.

Analysts warned the move could increase production costs, which might ultimately be passed on to consumers. “There is too much uncertainty, and this latest move raises more questions than answers,” said Paolo Pescatore of PP Foresight.

Shares of Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros Discovery fell 2.1% and 1.3%, respectively, following the announcement.

Industry experts note that many modern films involve financing, production, and post-production across several countries, complicating any attempt to apply a blanket tariff. Hollywood studios have increasingly turned to overseas hubs such as Canada, the UK, and Australia, where tax incentives make big-budget productions more cost-effective.

Executives also warned that a broad tariff could affect thousands of U.S. workers employed on overseas shoots, particularly in visual effects and technical services.