Trump installs tariffs on movies: “The movie industry is dying”
Could TV shows be next?
Those dreaded tariffs have now been extended to the entertainment industry.
President Trump announced Sunday he is imposing a 100 percent tariff on movies made outside of the United States, saying foreign movies are a “national security threat.” Trump claims movies shot overseas not only draw filmmakers away from the U.S., but also bring “messaging and propaganda” to the country.
— Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) May 5, 2025
This comes as several high-profile projects, such as the newest Avengers movie, are being filmed in London, lured away from places like Atlanta due to generous tax breaks.
California – particularly the Los Angeles area – has suffered from “runaway production” to other locations for decades. This trend includes a shift to various states within the U.S., such as Georgia, Illinois, and North Carolina, as well as countries such as Canada, the UK, Australia, and Ireland. In an interview with C-SPAN Sunday, Trump blamed California Governor Gavin Newsom for the situation (even with these tariffs, it won’t stop filmmakers from seeking other locations outside of the state).
Trump didn’t mention television shows or streaming content as part of the tariffs, but there is every reason to believe they will be included. If that’s the case, tariffs will impact programming produced overseas, such as CBS’ Survivor, which is shot in Fiji (its home since Season 33), and The Amazing Race, which is shot worldwide. Other reality shows, such as ABC’s Bachelor in Paradise, are also filmed outside the U.S. Many streaming shows, such as Apple TV’s Ted Lasso, are also filmed internationally.
In March, this space examined how tariffs could impact the entertainment industry as The CW acquired programming from Canadian broadcasters, including Wild Cards and Sullivan’s Crossing. While the CBC recently renewed each show, their futures in the U.S. remain uncertain as it is still unknown how tariffs would impact programming acquisitions from other countries.
Last week, ABC announced yet another Match Game revival with Martin Short, with plans to produce it in Montreal. It is unclear how the tariff situation would affect the show.
Tariffs could also impact Spanish-language networks such as Univision and Telemundo, which purchase much of their programming from Mexico and other Latin American countries, and PBS, which airs numerous British programs such as Murder in Paradise. Trump announced last week he was ending federal funding for it and NPR, which is expected to trigger a legal battle.
While Trump has shown his disdain toward Hollywood at times, he believes he can jumpstart the “ailing Hollywood” and keep jobs in the U.S. – even though box office numbers are up from last year, where they’ve fluctuated in the post-pandemic era. The edict will raise costs and eliminate any savings that filmmakers and studios would gain by shooting outside the country, leading to fewer movies being produced, ultimately resulting in fewer job opportunities in the industry.