Donald Trump’s proposed 100% tariff on all foreign film productions will send “shockwaves worldwide”, though Australia’s industry can buttress from the worst — with immediate and direct help from government.
That’s the early prognosis from Screen Producers Australia (SPA), following President Trump’s announcement of sweeping tariffs applied to all movies “produced in foreign lands.”
“At this stage, it is unclear what this announcement means in practice or how it will be applied and implemented”, comments SPA CEO Matthew Deaner.
“There are many unknowns for our industry, but until we know more, there’s no doubt it will send shockwaves worldwide.”
For the Australian industry, Deaner continues, “it reinforces the need for the Government to focus immediately and swiftly on building a resilient local industry that can withstand global shocks like this”.
Trump’s tariffs were announced Sunday night in the US, on the eve of SPA’s annual Screen Forever conference, by way of statement on Truth Social. There was no indication of whether it would also apply to TV production or to films made by international producers.
“Hollywood doesn’t do very much of that business. They have the nice sign and everything’s good, but they don’t do very much,” Trump told reporters Monday.
Also on Monday, the White House said that no final decision had been made on the tariffs but it was “exploring all options.”
“We’re going to meet with the industry. I want to make sure they’re happy with it, because we’re all about jobs,” Trump said at the Oval Office, according to CNBC.
Veteran actor Jon Voight, one of three Hollywood emissaries Trump has named as advisors, reportedly met with the POTUS at Mar-a-Lago over the weekend to discuss how to help the film business. The discussion included talk of film incentives, but not of tariffs, CNN reported.
The bombshell announcement, says SPA’s Deaner will likely be “the catalyst for many, many conversations between local and international industry executives and screen professionals.”
The three-day Screen Forever conference wraps up May 8 at the Gold Coast’s Star Event Centre.