Donald Trump’s recent announcement to impose 100% tariffs on movies produced outside the United States has sent shockwaves through the British film industry. Industry insiders and government officials have been sounding the alarm that this step would wipe out the UK’s film sector. This fledgling sector has recently become the high tech darling of large Hollywood feature shoots. US-China relations are becoming increasingly fraught. Restrictions on film imports have begun going into effect as well.
Trump’s announcement didn’t surprise anyone. Most industry bigwigs have been expecting a scapegoatish campaign against imported films as just one more step in his massive plan to “save sad, sad Hollywood.” His administration has already named international celebrities such as Sylvester Stallone, Mel Gibson, and Jon Voight to “special ambassador” posts. This legislative effort was intended to restore a production base that had left the United States for competing countries.
The tariffs may be viewed as a direct response to China’s recent decision to “moderately reduce the number of American films imported,” a move that aligns with Trump’s longstanding criticism of foreign nations allegedly undermining US industries.
Opposition to the tariffs was immediate in the UK’s Parliament. This country is currently the world’s favorite filming location for blockbuster hits such as “Barbie” and Star Wars. UK international feature-film production spending reached a high of £1.9 billion last year, as UK film industry boomed. At the same time, US investment rose by 83% over last year. This trend could be turned on its head by Trump’s tariffs. They will lead to continued job losses of the skilled freelancers—and crews—who actually underpin film production in the UK.
Caroline Dinenage, an influential UK politician for the area, highlighted the need to tackle these dangers as “an immediate priority.” “Last month the committee warned against complacency on our status as the Hollywood of Europe. President Trump’s announcement has made that warning all too real,” she stated.
“These tariffs, coming after Covid and the recent slowdown, could deal a knockout blow to an industry that is only just recovering and will be really worrying news for tens of thousands of skilled freelancers who make films in the UK.”
The consequences of Trump’s tariffs go far beyond the interest of British filmmakers. James Frith, representing UK studios, pointed out that any tariffs would adversely affect not only British jobs and creativity but US studios and audiences that depend on the UK’s skilled workforce and production expertise. He remarked, “Any US tariffs on foreign-made films would harm not just British jobs and creativity but the US studios and audiences who rely on our skilled workforce and production expertise.”
” We are not going to provide a running commentary on the details of live discussions or set any timelines because it is not in the national interest,” they stated.
As the situation evolves, senior politicians in the UK are urging Keir Starmer’s government to prioritize the film industry in trade talks with the US. As narrow as Trump’s wrong-headed focus on America-first filmmaking might be, the global nature of production today is extensive.