Daijiworld Media Network - Washington

Washington, May 5: U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday (IST) announced a sweeping new policy to impose a 100% tariff on all foreign films entering the United States, citing the steep decline of Hollywood as a national security concern.

In a statement posted to his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump claimed that America's movie industry is “dying a very fast death” as foreign countries lure U.S. filmmakers and studios abroad with aggressive incentives.

“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,” Trump wrote.

He also framed the issue as one of cultural influence and messaging, calling foreign-produced content a tool of “propaganda.” He said he had directed the Department of Commerce and the U.S. Trade Representative to begin implementing the tariff with immediate effect.

“We want movies made in America again,” he added.

Speaking to reporters at the White House on Sunday, Trump blamed California Governor Gavin Newsom for the exodus of film production from Hollywood, criticizing his leadership amid budget cuts and the relocation of shoots to states and countries offering better tax incentives.

He reiterated, “If they’re not willing to make a movie inside the United States, we should have a tariff when movies come in.”

The American film industry has faced a turbulent few years, hit by prolonged labor strikes, economic strain from the Covid-19 pandemic, and increasing global competition that has drawn major productions abroad.

In a related move earlier this year, Trump appointed veteran actors Jon Voight, Mel Gibson, and Sylvester Stallone as “special ambassadors” to help revive the industry. Their mission, he said, is to attract investment and production back to U.S. soil.

“They will serve as special envoys to me for the purpose of bringing Hollywood... back—bigger, better and stronger than ever before!” Trump stated at the time.