DONALD Trump has vowed to slap a 100 per cent tariff on importing foreign movies to the US in a major blow to the UK.
The President – who was regularly slammed Hollywood as being the “liberal elite” – is now stepping in as he claims to save them.
Donald Trump at the Oscars in 2011 with actress Helena Bonham Carter and wife Melania[/caption]
Trump famously appeared in Home Alone 2[/caption]
Director Cary Joji Fukunaga, center, with actors Daniel Craig, left, and Lashana Lynch on the set of No Time to Die[/caption]
It is not clear what the tariff would be placed on, given there are no import fees for bringing in a film to the US.
Hollywood productions often look to foreign countries like Canada, the UK, Australia or New Zealand as they have specialist work forces and financial incentives.
In a post on social media, Trump said: “The Movie Industry in America is DYING a very fast death.
“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 USA, are being devastated. This is a concerted effort by other Nations and, therefore, a National Security threat.
“It is, in addition to everything else, messaging and propaganda!
“WE WANT MOVIES MADE IN AMERICA, AGAIN!”
Philippa Childs, head of the Broadcasting, Entertainment, Communications and Theatre Union (Bectu), said the UK industry is “only just recovering” from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, when many productions were delayed or cancelled.
“The UK is a world leader in film and TV production, employing thousands of talented workers, and this is a key growth sector in the Government’s industrial strategy,” she said.
“These tariffs, coming after Covid and the recent slowdown, could deal a knock-out blow to an industry that is only just recovering and will be really worrying news for tens of thousands of skilled freelancers who make films in the UK.
“The Government must move swiftly to defend this vital sector, and support the freelancers who power it, as a matter of essential national economic interest.”
Trump’s latest announcement is part of an ongoing trade war after he placed tariffs of up to 145 per cent on Chinese goods.
China had hit back against Trump by banning Hollywood flicks as President Xi Jinping vowed to “fight to the end”.
Trump has placed tariffs on almost every country around the world as he
US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick responded to the announcement of film tariffs by saying “We’re on it”.
European cinema chain Vue, Timothy Richards, told the BBC he was not sure how the US would define a film.
He said: Is it where the money comes from? The script, the director, the talent, where it was shot?
“One of reasons UK has done so well is we have some of the most highly experienced and skilled film and production crew in the world.
“The devil will be in the details.”
Trump has a long history with the silver screen and appeared in some 15 films, usually as himself, with his most famous appearance in Home Alone 2.
He also appeared in TV shows in the 1990s and 2000s.
The Shire set in Matamata, New Zealand, where the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies were filmed[/caption]