President Trump has announced a proposed 100% tariff on movies produced outside the United States, claiming it is necessary to protect the domestic film industry. The move, described as a “complete overhaul” of the sector, was framed by Trump as a response to what he called the theft of American movie-making by foreign countries.

“Our movie making business has been stolen from the United States of America, by other Countries, just like stealing candy from a baby,” Trump stated in a post on his Truth Social platform. However, the legal basis for such a tariff remains unclear, with no immediate clarification from the White House or major studios.

Top U.S. studios including Warner Bros Discovery, Paramount Skydance, and Netflix did not respond to requests for comment, while Comcast declined to address the issue. Analysts expressed concern over the uncertainty surrounding the policy’s implementation. “There is too much uncertainty, and this latest move raises more questions than answers,” said PP Foresight analyst Paolo Pescatore. He added that increased costs could ultimately be passed on to consumers.

Trump first mentioned the idea of a movie tariff in May, but details were sparse, leaving industry leaders unsure about its scope. A coalition of American film unions and guilds later urged Trump to focus on tax incentives for domestic production instead.

The U.S. film industry reported a $15.3 billion trade surplus in 2023, driven by $22.6 billion in exports. The tariff would affect foreign films, including scenes shot abroad that are marketed as American content. A viral video referencing past tariff disputes between China and Canada was shared alongside the report, highlighting ongoing tensions over international trade policies.