In a bold and unexpected move, U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a sweeping 100% tariff on all foreign films entering the American market. The decision, unveiled through a Truth Social post, comes as Trump blames international competition and overseas incentives for the “very fast death” of the American movie industry. Framing the issue as a matter of national security, Trump is pushing for a dramatic reshaping of the U.S. film landscape. “WE WANT MOVIES MADE IN AMERICA, AGAIN!” he proclaimed.
The directive has been handed to the Department of Commerce and the United States Trade Representative to begin the process immediately. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick briefly confirmed the action via X (formerly Twitter), stating, “We’re on it.” However, officials have yet to release specific implementation guidelines, leaving several questions unanswered — notably, whether the tariffs would also affect American studios that produce films abroad.
The global film community has reacted with concern. Prominent Indian filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri called the decision “disastrous,” warning that such a policy could devastate India’s already struggling film sector. He urged Indian industry leaders to shift focus from “paparazzi and self-glorification” to collective action against what he sees as a direct threat to their industry.
This policy could have far-reaching implications, especially for Indian cinema, which has found growing success in North America. Recently, Kalki 2898 AD broke records with an $11.2 million opening weekend — the highest ever for an Indian film in the region. Meanwhile, Baahubali 2: The Conclusion still holds the title of the top-grossing Indian film in the U.S. and Canada, earning $22 million.
Trump’s announcement echoes themes from his earlier trade war with China, which resulted in a reduction of Hollywood’s access to foreign markets. In retaliation to previous U.S. tariff increases, Beijing recently curtailed the number of American films allowed into Chinese theaters, further straining Hollywood’s global reach.
