Trump's Bonkers Plan to Tax Hollywood Movies: A Disaster in the Making?
- You know what grabs Trump by the wrist and ballsock, the US President at the ripe age of 78, according to his own freaking Twitter handle anyway? Yep, you guessed it - "Zoll" and let's not forget "God," "religion," and this piece of nonsense about Hollywood. The global economy is already feeling the brunt of this narcissistic buffoon's insane priorities, from his insane tariffs on foreign goods up to tripled digits, and now it seems even the film industry is in his crosshairs.
Allegedly undermining the Dreamworks empire casually. - Set to demolish the movie studio dreamland?
It's utter bullshit, and the man has the nerve to call it a "threat to national security" on his own X-clone Truth Social. Trump, being the big-headed fool he is, believes that so many Hollywood productions aren't made in Hollywood and his supposed solution is what? Impose a 100% tariff on films made outside of the USA, you kidding me? Who the hell does he think he is? And let's not forget who put this stupid and dangerous idea in his head - Angelina Jolie's estranged dad, Jon Voight, 86, whom Trump tapped along with Sylvester Stallone, 78, and Mel Gibson, 69, as special envoys of the US film industry in January.
But what would implementing this idiotic plan really mean for the dream factory? And is it even feasible?
Tariffs on Films: Are They Freaking Possible?
quick question, can the production of a big ol' blockbuster movie happen outside of one country? Fuck, nope! Visual effects specialists can be stationed wherever the hell they want, but who needs real castles as a backdrop for a medieval film? Not this fucking pompous bastard and his luxurious taste for this "Golden Age" bullshit. How about internationally operating agents like Mission: Impossible's Ethan Hunt or James Bond being restricted to computer-generated metropolises around the world? And for the love of God, are you telling me the next "White Lotus" season would have to be set exclusively in the Gulf of Mexico, rebranded to the Gulf of America? Sometimes, it feels like Trump wants to take away everything that makes this world interesting.
In the case of US productions that are filmed or completed outside the USA for cost or logistical purposes, a blanket 100% "import duty" tariff seems unenforceable.
The Death of the Independent Market and Innovative Ideas?
Listen, if a German film was to face a 100% tariff in the future, film distributors would think twice before bringing it to the US market. And what about independent, art-house cinema from outside the USA? This cost-benefit analysis would likely be answered with a resounding "no." The result: Film diversity in the USA decreases significantly. An immensely important market is lost for filmmakers outside the USA - the global film industry suffers.
Since Corona, the industry has not been able to return to pre-pandemic numbers. With Trump's tariffs, the already struggling business faces further uncertainties. Additional costs would increase the number of potential box office flops that could ruin studios. At the same time, the willingness to produce innovative, unestablished ideas on a large scale is waning.
How Are Studio Bosses Reacting?
Even the bigwigs behind Hollywood seemed to have been caught with their pants down by Trump's plans and are still trying to figure out what the fuck it all means. This Friday, the CEOs of studios like Warner Bros., Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures, and others are meeting for a crisis summit, according to "The Hollywood Reporter." Could the tariffs apply retroactively to completed but not yet released films? Unclear.
There seems to be agreement on one point, though: if Trump's 100% tariffs become a reality, the consequences for the film industry would be catastrophic.
What About Countermeasures?
So far, Trump's tariff policies have sparked strong reactions. Countries like Canada and the European Union have immediately threatened retaliatory tariffs. In the case of China, the film industry has already been used as a pressure tool before Trump's explicit Hollywood tariffs.
"Variety" quoted a statement from the Chinese film leadership at the beginning of April: "The wrongful actions of the U.S. government in abusing tariffs will inevitably further reduce the acceptance of American films among the domestic audience. We will follow market rules, respect the audience's choice, and moderately reduce the number of imported American films."
If Hollywood tariffs were to come to pass, the result would likely be job losses for film workers outside the U.S., higher cinema and streaming prices for global consumers, and a less diverse range of films and series. How about that for "great" America?
Enrichment Data:
There are several potential implications of Donald Trump's proposed tariffs on films produced outside of the USA: increased global trade disputes, economic consequences for the U.S. and other countries, reduced cultural diversity, decreased international film production collaborations, and disruptions to digital platforms. The feasibility of implementing such tariffs could face legal, economic, and diplomatic challenges.
- In Trump's proposed plan, he aims to impose a 100% tariff on films made outside the USA, which could lead to a significant decrease in film diversity within the USA and potentially harm the global film industry.
- If enforced, these tariffs could result in increased global trade disputes and potential economic consequences for various countries, including the USA.
- The feasibility of implementing such tariffs could face legal, economic, and diplomatic challenges, as stated by various industry analysts and studio executives.
- The proposed tariffs could also lead to a less diverse range of films and series, higher cinema and streaming prices for global consumers, and potential job losses for film workers outside the USA.
