Donald Trump proposes '100% tariff' on non-US films

What sort of impact do you think Trump's tariff plan could have on Hollywood - and also on the British film industry?

"Trump’s proposed tariffs on foreign made films might benefit U.S. based workers in the short term, but pose a significant long term risk for Hollywood’s global position. The introduction of such tariffs could provoke retaliation from other countries, leading to higher barriers for American films to access key markets such as Europe and China, and threatening Hollywood’s dominance in global box office revenue. International co-productions would be less viable with inflated budgets for US producers that often rely on overseas talent, locations and post-production services.

"The UK film industry stands to be heavily affected if these tariffs were to be introduced. US productions are a major source of investment for UK studios, attracted by generous tax incentives, skilled crew and world-class facilities such as Leavesden and Pinewood. If American studios pull back from filming in the UK, this would likely have a devastating impact on the industry here, resulting in underused infrastructure and job losses across the UK production sector.

"UK independent producers would likely find the cost of accessing American audiences unfeasible without any major studio support. But the threat is not just lost revenues; the introduction of these tariffs will likely have a major impact on co-production models that have supported and enabled international storytelling."

What would you advise a producer producing a film right now to do who might be panicking about this news, especially those who might not have the backing of a large studio to afford a '100% tariff' for a US release?

"For producers currently developing or producing a film, Trump’s proposed film tariffs are concerning. While the policy is for now just a proposal - with many unknowns around scope, enforcement, and timing - it is wise to stay alert and plan accordingly. The lack of detail makes it extremely difficult to predict how tariffs would be implemented or whether it would survive legal and political challenges, but early strategic thinking can offer some protection.

"Firstly, it is important to stay informed through trade bodies like the BFI, PACT and any relevant guilds. Producers should also re-evaluate their production models and financial exposure by creating contingency plans and consider modelling their potential return on investment with and without a U.S. distribution aspect. To avoid relying heavily on US sales, consider adjusting your distribution strategy.

"For UK producers especially, incorporating flexibility into contracts and financing plans will be vital. Look to make connections with international buyers that will offer a broader reach and/or consider structuring your project as a co-production with non-U.S. partners to access alternative funding and distribution routes.

"In short, while there’s no need to panic yet, producers should prepare ahead, stay agile, and build strong global relationships to help safeguard projects against any potential fallout."

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An extract of Juliane's comments was published in Metro, 8 May 2025.