After delivering his solution to bring more jobs back to the film industry stateside by implementing tariffs on international film production, President Trump attempted to clarify his intentions at a White House briefing. CNBC reports that Trump will talk to the studios about his idea to impose 100% tariffs on films made outside the United States with the aim to make sure “they’re happy” with the haphazardly conceived and confused notions about how the film industry could align with his presidential plans. “I’m not looking to hurt the industry, I want to help the industry,” he told reporters.
Incidentally plans for keeping the film industry at large here were already in the works. Post Los Angeles wildfires, which halted the film industry for the first quarter of the year, California Governor Gavin Newsom and organizations like Stay in LA were already proposing solutions to keep productions in America—particularly the state of California, the home of Hollywood movie making, in response to relief efforts and to keep people able to live in the state.
In Trump’s clarified statements reported by CNBC, he attempted to call out Newsom with the claims that the industry “has been decimated by other countries taking them out, and also by incompetence, like in Los Angeles, the governor [Gavin Newsom] is a grossly incompetent man, he’s just allowed it to be taken away from.”
The politician’s representation re-iterated Newsom’s already in the works plans and how Trump’s sudden support could be reigned in for the industry that kept Trump relevant beyond what anyone could imagine. “[Newsom’s] plan to more than double the state’s film and television tax credit reflects a commitment to keeping production here at home, supporting workers and maintaining California’s global leadership in entertainment,” the spokesperson added that. “If the President announces a proposal with more details, we will review it.”
Currently organizations such as Stay in LA are rallying support for streamlining film permits and expanding CA Film and TV tax credits through California legislation.
Big films could benefit from shooting in Los Angeles as well as other productions that also tend to shoot in Atlanta, among other metropolitan cities where the film industry aims to thrive. The significance of this fast-track to install these tariffs has Hollywood’s SAG-AFTRA representative Duncan Crabtree-Ireland ready to work with the administration to make sure that American film industry folks can immediately benefit from this.
“SAG-AFTRA supports efforts to increase movie, television and streaming production in the United States. We will continue to advocate for policies that strengthen our competitive position, accelerate economic growth and create good middle class jobs for American workers,” he said in a statement shared by Variety. “We look forward to learning more about the specifics of the plan announced by the President and to advancing a dialogue to achieve our common goals.”
The President’s representatives followed up the veracity of Trump’s claims by confirming, as reported by CNBC, that they’re “exploring all options,” but of course despite the strongly worded tirade, to tariff as much as the President thinks he can will be subject to examination.
“Although no final decisions on foreign film tariffs have been made, the Administration is exploring all options to deliver on President Trump’s directive to safeguard our country’s national and economic security while Making Hollywood Great Again,” spokesman Kush Desai shared on behalf of the White House, according to CNBC.
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