Trump declares foreign films 'national security threat' as movie imports face 100% tariff

Donald Trump has declared that the American movie industry is “dying a very fast death” and announced a bombshell plan to impose 100 percent tariffs on foreign-made films.

The former US President issued a strongly worded statement warning that other countries are luring filmmakers away from the United States with lucrative incentives, leaving Hollywood and the wider American film industry in crisis.

Labeling the situation a “national security threat”, Mr Trump said: “Other Countries are offering all sorts of incentives to draw our filmmakers and studios away from the United States. Hollywood, and many other areas within the U.S.A., are being devastated.”

He claimed the coordinated effort by rival nations is not just economic, but also “messaging and propaganda,” arguing that the US must take immediate action to protect its domestic film industry.

In a dramatic move, Mr Trump authorised the Department of Commerce and the United States Trade Representative to begin “the process of instituting a 100% Tariff on any and all Movies coming into our Country that are produced in Foreign Lands.”

He added: “WE WANT MOVIES MADE IN AMERICA, AGAIN!”

The announcement marks one of Mr Trump’s most forceful interventions yet in the entertainment sector, as he continues to frame global competition in cultural and security terms.

Hollywood has long been considered a soft power asset for the United States, but the industry has recently struggled with rising production costs, global competition, and changing viewer habits.

Mr Trump’s warning is likely to spark fierce debate in the entertainment world, with critics arguing that protectionist tariffs could drive up costs for consumers and complicate international collaborations.

However, supporters say the move could reignite investment in US-based productions and restore the country's status as a world leader in cinema.

As he eyes a potential return to the White House, Mr Trump’s stance sends a clear message: he intends to put America’s cultural exports front and centre in his economic agenda.