Overnight Donald Trump has doubled down on his plans to bring him 100 per cent movie tariffs on projects filmed outside the US, including Australia.
The American president says he’s authorising the Department of Commerce and trade work to start processing movie tariffs, slamming governments for offering incentives like we do.
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Donald Trump said Hollywood and other areas within the US are “being devastated” in a concerted effort by other nations. Trump claims this makes it a “National Security threat”.
Hollywood labour strikes, the recent LA wildfires and the Covid-19 pandemic have forced budget cuts in the American film industry.
Trump told reporters on Sunday, “Other nations have been stealing the movie-making capabilities from the United States”.
“If they’re not willing to make a movie inside the United States, we should have a tariff on movies that come in.”
Australia is a popular location for foreign film productions. Recent large-scale productions include The Fall Guy, Planet of the Apes and Thor.
The federal government offers a 30 per cent rebate for big-budget film projects shot in Australia, with additional post-production rebates.
Industry peak body Screen Producers Australia (SPA) says Trump’s move will send shock waves through the industry globally.
SPA chief executive Matthew Deaner said, “There’s no doubt it will send shock waves worldwide.”
“At this stage, it is unclear what this announcement means in practice or how it will be applied and implemented.”
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