U.S. President Donald Trump has set his sights on the film and streaming industry, claiming that foreign nations are luring American filmmakers overseas with incentives — a move he calls a threat to national security. Trump’s recent statements suggest he’s considering tariffs on foreign film productions, though details remain vague and implementation could prove highly complex.
“The Movie Industry in America is DYING a very fast death,” Trump posted on social media, blaming other countries for drawing studios away from the U.S. “Hollywood is being destroyed,” he added during a White House address, framing the issue as a matter of national economic survival.
However, experts argue that imposing tariffs on films and streaming content isn’t straightforward. Unlike traditional goods, movies are intangible products with layered production processes that span multiple countries. “It’s not a single sector,” says Charlie Keil, a cinema studies professor at the University of Toronto. “It’s difficult to know whether you should target a film as a whole or just the parts produced outside the U.S.”
Film tariffs would also disrupt standard pricing models. “Theatres don’t charge you more based on how much a film costs to make,” Keil explains. “So the question is, who really pays if tariffs are enforced?”
From a business standpoint, intellectual property and ownership — not location of production — remain the core of the film industry’s value. “As long as U.S. companies control content rights and equity, they still control what matters,” says Noah Segal, co-president of Elevation Pictures. “Disney owns Mickey Mouse regardless of where it’s filmed.”
Canada, a major hub for U.S. film production, could face significant fallout. Ontario alone hosts over $3 billion in foreign film production annually. “If Trump pulls production back into the U.S., it could be devastating for our industry,” Keil warns.
Ontario’s Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming, Stan Cho, expressed concern but also caution. “He’s changed positions before. We’re hopeful he’ll see the value this industry brings in terms of jobs and economic growth.”
With no final decision yet from the White House, the film industry remains in a state of uncertainty, awaiting the next move in Trump’s evolving trade strategy.
