President Donald Trump unveiled a proposal for a substantial 100% tariff on films produced outside the United States, in a bid to bolster national and economic security, while also aiming to revive the American film industry.

Trump is calling on Hollywood industry leaders to support his plan to bring filmmaking back to the U.S. and boost domestic jobs, as Breitbart reports.

The proposed tariff has sparked discussions throughout the entertainment industry, as Trump intends to meet with Hollywood leaders to explore possible arrangements to implement his strategy. During a recent announcement on Monday, Trump reiterated his commitment to rejuvenate the domestic film sector, declaring that he will ensure the industry stakeholders are pleased with his plans.

The president has voiced his concerns that numerous countries offer various incentives enticing filmmakers away from American shores. He perceives such practices as not only economic competition but also a threat to national security.

Taking to his Truth Social platform, Trump noted, “The Movie Industry in America is DYING a very fast death,” emphasizing his mission to bring film production back to the U.S. by declaring, “WE WANT MOVIES MADE IN AMERICA, AGAIN!” His intentions are clear in that he is seeking to enhance national security by increasing domestic film production.

Tariff parameters, timeline still uncertain

The administration, through White House spokesman Kush Desai, has clarified that no conclusive decisions have been made regarding the tariffs.

However, they are actively examining various avenues to effectively carry out Trump's initiative. Desai remarked, "Although no final decisions on foreign film tariffs have been made, the Administration is exploring all options" to reach their objectives.

Sen. Adam Schiff, a prominent California Democrat, has acknowledged aligning with the administration's objective to encourage a resurgence in U.S.-based movie production.

While he is supportive of efforts to stimulate local production, he has reservations about blanket tariffs, suggesting instead a federal film tax credit tailored to attract filmmakers back to the United States.

Schiff expressed his willingness to collaborate on crafting a "globally competitive federal film incentive" to repatriate movie production, seeing this as a vital opportunity to rejuvenate the industry and secure American jobs.

Industry notables weigh in

Among the notable Hollywood figures engaging with this discourse is actor Jon Voight, who serves as one of Trump’s informal ambassadors to the entertainment realm. Voight has introduced an extensive plan encompassing federal production incentives, establishing co-production treaties, infrastructure support, job training programs, changes to tax policies, and specific tariffs.

The plan aims to create a conducive environment for film production, ultimately leading to higher domestic output and more job opportunities for American workers.

Voight reaffirmed Trump's commitment to the entertainment business, stating, “The President loves the entertainment business and this country, and he will help us make Hollywood great again.”

Prominent industry figures, including California Gov. Newsom and Duncan Crabtree-Ireland from SAG-AFTRA, have shown openness to evaluating and discussing these proposals. Crabtree-Ireland confirmed the union's support for endeavors that boost production within the country, reiterating its focus on bolstering economic growth and creating well-paying jobs.

Global resurgence sought

Trump has made it clear that in spite of the tariffs, he is not seeking to damage the industry. His initiative revolves around providing adequate support. “I’m not looking to hurt the industry; I want to help the industry,” Trump maintained, underscoring his desire to see more films made domestically.

In addition to expressing fondness for the Hollywood landscape, Trump asserted, “Hollywood doesn’t do very much of that business. They have the nice sign and everything's good, but they don’t do very much,” aiming to reignite Hollywood's global prominence.

While the specific details of the tariffs and associated policies are still under discussion, the president’s goal remains to align more production within the United States.

This move seeks to mitigate the allure of foreign incentives that have historically siphoned key projects overseas and to rejuvenate the American movie industry as a whole.