On 5 May 2025, Donald Trump, President of the USA, gave a press briefing from the White House in Washington D.C. As expected, he dropped two controversial bombs to get everyone’s attention. He stole some of the NFL’s spotlight, announcing that the next NFL draft will be held in the nation’s capital. This decision has garnered national attention and celebration from the sports world! Additionally, Trump shared his proposal for imposing a 100% tariff on foreign-made films, a measure he believes will support the American film industry.
The public announcement for the NFL draft is a huge civic and sporting event by any measure. It will excite, educate, and inspire—bringing millions of people to Washington, D.C. to visit it. In keeping with Trump’s intent to keep America great—whatever that means—this would be another blow to the American arts and manufacturing. Trump’s comments about the draft were reported by Leah Millis of Reuters, highlighting the administration’s push to engage with various sectors, including sports and entertainment.
Then in March, Trump addressed concerns that foreign films are undercutting the competitiveness of the U.S. film industry. He did this simultaneously with the announcement of the NFL draft. When pressed on the issue, he said that he would be consulting the Hollywood studios to see how they felt about his proposed tariffs. “So we’re going to meet with the industry,” Trump said. His intent is clear: he aims to ensure that industry leaders are supportive of his plans, reinforcing his commitment to job creation.
The day before these announcements, thanks to the pressure Trump received, he did something big. He directed the Commerce Department and U.S. trade representative to act against predatory international trade practices. This decision is another sign of his administration’s prioritization on standing up for American jobs and industries against unfair foreign competition.
Indeed, Trump’s proposed tariff is enormous, reaching 100% on all films produced outside America that wish to access the U.S. market. “I want to make sure they’re happy with it because we’re all about jobs,” he emphasized, underscoring his administration’s commitment to supporting domestic businesses and employment.
The president reiterated his intentions regarding the tariffs, stating, “I’m not looking to hurt the industry, I want to help the industry.” He thinks by raising tariffs, it could provide a more level playing field for U.S.-made films. Yet those movies have been under increasing pressure from the international productions.
Trump’s proposed tariffs have clearly ignited both media and public outcry to a firestorm. Ironically at the same time, many in Hollywood are sounding the alarm on foreign meddling in American film. The industry has historically been an important cultural touchstone to the American connective tissue. Today, it threatens the existence of domestic films by foreign films, usually made for a fraction of the cost. We appreciate the intent of Trump’s proposal to make the playing field more even for American filmmakers.
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