The U.S. film industry is under threat of an unprecedented policy shift: President Donald Trump has announced plans to impose a 100 percent tariff on movies produced outside the United States and then distributed domestically. The move is being portrayed by the White House as a way to protect American film-making and ensure that the economic benefits of the industry stay inside the country. But it raises serious questions for studios, distributors, and cinemas. Many U.S. films depend on international co-productions and foreign box-office receipts to recoup their costs. Moreover, some foreign-made films have become American box-office hits, relying on that global model. The industry now faces a dual challenge: adapting to global streaming-era shifts while navigating protectionist policy. For film-lovers over 50, the idea of watching fewer international titles or experiencing higher ticket prices is concerning—and it may mean fewer diverse cinematic voices reaching U.S. screens. The potential consequences are broad: studios may scale back high-budget films, foreign funding may pull back, and cinemas could face greater risk if the slate narrows. While the policy is not yet fully defined—legal authority, timeline and enforcement remain unclear—the announcement alone has sparked industry alarm. It’s a reminder that culture and commerce are entwined, and globalisation in entertainment may be under new pressure.
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