BS EDIT: Trump’s movie tariff plan makes little economic or strategic

By Business StandardPublished On May 7, 2025

A misplaced tariff

Trump proposes a 100% tariff on foreign films—despite a US trade surplus in movies

Hollywood is thriving

In 2023, US films earned a $15.3 bn surplus. 70% of global box-office came from outside the US

A soft power risk

Tariffs could backfire. Hollywood is a key pillar of America’s global cultural influence

No clear plan

Would it affect US-made films shot abroad or streaming giants like Netflix? Unclear

Cost, not competition

Studios film overseas to cut costs. Rivals offer better tax breaks than the US

Hollywood doesn’t need saving

It leads the global film industry. Tariffs won’t help—it needs smarter incentives