Former U.S. President Donald Trump has fired a new salvo in his trade war playbook: a 100% tariff on imported foreign-made films, announced via his Truth Social platform. Claiming Hollywood’s decline stems from productions moving overseas for incentives, Trump framed the policy as a national security priority, demanding studios "make movies again in America."
But film expert Mario Pacheco Székely, a Golden Globe Awards voter and professor, warns this could backfire spectacularly. In a passionate critique, he highlights how global collaboration has defined cinema since the 1940s: "From Kurosawa’s Japan to New Zealand’s Middle-earth, diverse perspectives fuel iconic stories," he says.
"We need people from different parts of the world [to] truly tell global stories." – Székely
🌐 The proposal faces fierce pushback: Over 60% of major Hollywood releases since 2020 involved international co-productions, blending technical talent and cultural insights. Could tariffs stifle the creative melting pot behind hits like Parasite or Dune? Industry insiders are nervously reaching for popcorn. 🍿
Reference(s):
cgtn.com