In an unprecedented move that could reshape global entertainment, US President donald trump announced a 100% tariff on all films produced outside the United States, including India’s billion-dollar bollywood industry.
Trump’s post on Truth Social on 29 september 2025 stated the tariff would hit “any and all movies that are made outside of the United States”, singling out california as having been “particularly hard hit.”
This is not a mere trade tweak. This is a potential economic earthquake for filmmakers, distributors, and audiences worldwide. The global film industry — from india to europe — now faces an existential threat as trump weaponizes tariffs against cultural products.
1. Bollywood in the Crosshairs
india exports hundreds of films annually to the US. A 100% tariff would double costs for American distributors, likely killing overseas revenue streams and crushing global viewership.
2. Global Filmmakers Now Vulnerable
From france to South Korea, every non-US film risks being priced out of the world’s largest movie market, reversing decades of cross-border cinematic exchange.
3. A First in History: service Tariffs
Tariffs traditionally hit goods, not services. Imposing a 100% tax on intellectual and cultural content sets a dangerous global precedent that could ripple across music, streaming, and video games.
4. Trump’s Justification: Tax Incentives
He claims other countries’ tax incentives drew filmmakers abroad. The counterpoint? Cultural diplomacy and soft power are being punished for economic competition, threatening creative freedom worldwide.
5. California Singled Out
Trump’s comment about california being “particularly hard hit” highlights the political undercurrent, hinting at retaliation for states with strong entertainment sectors or opposing political alignments.
6. Revenue Loss Could Be Catastrophic
Indian studios rely on overseas revenue to fund big-budget productions. A 100% tariff could wipe out billions in earnings, potentially halting production pipelines and laying off thousands of employees.
7. Global Retaliation Risk
This move is likely to spark retaliatory tariffs on hollywood films abroad, initiating a tit-for-tat trade war in entertainment, hurting consumers and the creative economy globally.
8. The Unknowns Create Panic
trump has yet to clarify the implementation timeline or ratification process. The uncertainty alone could freeze investment and delay film releases, disrupting the international entertainment ecosystem.
👉 Trump’s 100% tariff is not just an economic threat — it’s a cultural attack on global storytelling and creative industries.
👉 Bollywood, european cinema, and international filmmakers must brace for disruption as politics intrudes on art.
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