The sectors of American and international films are in shock after the announcement of Donald Trump last night that he “authorized” the Ministry of Commerce and the Representative of the United States trade to impose a 100% rate on films “all” produced in “foreign lands”.
In a Message published on Truth SocialTrump described foreign productions as a “national security threat” to American industry, adding that they attract filmmakers abroad, but also bring “messaging and propaganda” to the country.
The threat, although apparently embryonic and lacked in the smallest detail, sent shock waves in the American and international films. The impact, if something close is happening, would be seismic in the world cinema sector.
“What a bombshell”, a main German producer and distributor simply responded this morning.
“It's crazy,” said a veteran British producer. “So, American companies can only make American films? James Cameron cannot make an avatar abroad? Who pays the prices? The main independent distributors would all be bankrupt if they are them.”
In what can prove to be the exit clause of the industry, the same producer noted: “You cannot impose on creatives which stories they can tell.”
Studios and banners would also take a huge blow of such a decision. “This also has a considerable impact on streamers, the model of which is to produce locally and to exploit globally, including on the basic American market,” added an international veeur veteran. “Would a production of foreign blows never see the light of day in America?” Would it be removed from American streaming services? ”
All the main studios make films abroad, including many main franchises such as Avatar,, Impossible missionJames Bond and countless others. The MPA in America has not yet commented on behalf of the studios. In his second mandate, many main Hollywood players have avoided publicly criticizing the president. Others have cozés with him. Will this movement encourage the head above the parapet?
The sewing of anxiety and confusion are generally Trump's first steps before negotiation. A leading American distribution leader told us: “I cannot see his goal here other than confusion and distraction. Hopefully this only encourages desperately necessary increases in the tax incentives of the US State to be implemented as soon as possible. ”
A French distribution veterinarian posed: “He will kill the American industry faster because it will increase the cost of American films which will not already sell well internationally. Creating an incentive to filming in the United States would have been smarter, but I'm not sure he has so much intelligence.”
A film veterinarian told us to a comment made on the deadline of day overnight, which pays cold water to the idea that this decision would strengthen the American production activity (more about this below): “You encourage all this as providing jobs to American production must understand that this is not the effect that this will have of the amount of assistants. Budget content created because studios will not be able to do the same, because the cost of production will be more. The dollars of the studios are currently going abroad due to various lucrative tax incentives.
Screen Producers Australia has published on his website: “At this stage, we do not know what this announcement means in practice or how it will be applied and implemented,” said SPA CEO Matthew Deaner. “There are a lot of unknowns for our industry, but until we know more, there is no doubt that he will send shock waves worldwide. For Australian industry, it strengthens the need for the government to concentrate immediately and quickly on the construction of a local resilient industry which can resist world shocks like this. ”
New Zealand producer John Barnett (The whale rider) told Nz Outlet the spin-off: “A bit like everything else that Trump has done, it is completely lacking in logic,” he said. “If there is one thing that we learned in the first 100 days, it is because what he says today is not necessarily what he will say tomorrow.”
“Honestly, there is not much that shaken our industry in this way,” said Evelyne Snow, communications manager for the Quebec image Alliance of the Image and Sound Technicians (AQTI), the press told the Canadian press after Trump's announcement. AQTI represents 8,000 professionals in local production and is part of the IATSE. According to the press, the two groups should meet on Monday following Trump's comments.
Cannes market
It would not be Trump's first saber saber that does not happen as being flared first. But with the Cannes market just at the corner of the street, the industry is suddenly on red alert and the impact is already felt.
A large American cinema company that works on national and international productions has declared us: “Trump movements already affect sales in China, but that would reduce the entire world market, buyers not wanting to pay minimum guarantees if there will be a tax on the films on the Cannes market or on the films that have already acquired. Budgets, the actors will not be paid the same costs and the list takes place.
“It's not great [for Cannes] At all, ”said an American packaging agent on the head.
Another seller in euros noted: “What a bomb on the eve of Cannes. It may not come into force, but the possibility of such a price creates unnecessary uncertainty towards the American market which was starting to show positive signs of recovery after the strikes. ”
An international veteran distributor echoes a common feeling this morning: “It is too early to say, but it will certainly be Cannes' speech”. An Italian buyer has urged caution: “Let's see the detail. This guy changes his mind every day.”
Foreign government reaction
Foreign governments are starting to react to the news.
As quoted in The Guardian, the Australian Minister of Internal Affairs, Tony Burke, said that he had spoken to the head of the government of the government of the Australian government about the proposed prices. “No one should be subjected to a doubt that we are going to stand unequivocally for the rights of the Australian screen industry,” he said in a statement.
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon noted: “We will have to see the details of what is ultimately emerging. But we will obviously be a big defender, a big champion of this sector in this industry, “he said.
Caroline Dinenage, president of the influential committee of culture, media and sport of the British Parliament, said: “Last month, the Committee for Culture, Media and Sport warned against the complacency of our status as Hollywood of Europe. President Trump's announcement made this warning too real.
“Make it more difficult to make films in the United Kingdom is not in the interest of American companies. Their investment in facilities and talents in the United Kingdom, based on intellectual property belonging to the United States, shows fantastic yields on both sides of the Atlantic. Ministers must urgently grant priority within the framework of trade negotiations currently underway.
“At the same time, the next plan in the government's creative industry sector must take up the challenge we have met by encouraging interior investments while increasing our national sector so that British film and high -end television can prosper.”
As we have pointed out, California Governor Gavin Newsom is among those who are ready to resist this decision.
Trump said last night: “The film industry in America dies from a very rapid death. Other countries offer all kinds of incentives to distance our filmmakers and our studios from the United States. Hollywood, and many other areas in the United States, are devastated. It is a concerted effort by other countries and, therefore, a national security threat. It is, in addition to everything else, the United States and the United States and propaganda! Representing, to immediately start the institute process a 100% price on all films in our country that are produced in foreign land.
He then told journalists: “Other nations stole the … ability to make the United States. I said to a few people, “What do you think?” I did very strong research last week, and we are doing very few films. support them financially.
Trump complained about trade deficits because he imposed prices on other countries, but the film industry was a positive point. According to the Motion Picture Association, the industry has generated a positive balance of exchanges on all the main markets in the world, with exports 3.1 times those of imports. Industry produced $ 22.6 billion in exports and $ 15.3 billion in commercial surplus.
More as we have it …
Jake Kanter, Nancy Tartgalione and Ted Johnson contributed to this report.
