Tariff Bluey!? - Hollywoods Response to Trumps Tariff
Trump’s 100% Tariff – Update/Response
“What the hell is going on here?” – Joe Biden (Former US President)
“What are you going to slap a tariff on Bluey now?” – Kevin 07’ (Kevin Rudd, Ambassador of Australia to the United States)
With the Film and Television industry confused and mind blown about this social media post Trump made on May 5th it has sparked so much uncertainty. With big names stepping in to lead the charge it only makes us wonder why hit the industry with a tariff which feels like a punishment. Proposing more incentives to help the US Film industry could have turned heads in a different manner.
What’s Happening:
- Former President Donald Trump proposes a 100% tariff on all non-U.S. made films.
- Aims to boost U.S. film jobs and combat “runaway production.”
- Claims foreign incentives are “killing” the U.S. movie industry.
- Appointed actor Jon Voight as a cultural ambassador to help lead the charge.
Industry Response:
Major Studios & Executives:
- At the Milken Conference, execs from Sony and Prime Video said:
- Incentives, not tariffs, are the key to keeping productions in the U.S.
- California’s film incentive program is unreliable (lottery-based).
- Studios want stable, long-term support for domestic shooting.
Independent Filmmakers:
- Worry the tariff will:
- Crush international co-productions.
- Limit access to global financing and unique locations.
- Hurt creativity and diverse storytelling.
Political & Diplomatic Response:
- Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed a $7.5B federal tax credit to offset the impact.
- Australia’s Ambassador Kevin Rudd ridiculed the plan:
- Warned the tariff could hurt cultural diplomacy.
- Joked it might mean taxing beloved Aussie shows like Bluey — asking, "What, are you going to slap a tariff on Bluey now?"
What Might Happen Next:
- Studios pushing for expanded U.S. tax breaks.
- Possible legal or trade disputes from international partners.
- Independent sector may lobby for exemptions or carve-outs.
§ ABC News. “Trump Threatens 100% Tariff on Foreign-Made Films, Calls It a Matter of National Security.” ABC News, 6 May 2025.
§ Carras, Christi. “Jon Voight Defends Trump’s Film Tariff Plan: ‘Something Has to Be Done.’” The Guardian, 7 May 2025.
§ News.com.au. “‘Tax on Bluey’: Kevin Rudd Mocks Donald Trump’s Film Tariff Plan.” News.com.au, 7 May 2025.
§ Shapiro, Ed. “Newsom Wants Trump to Subsidize Hollywood.” New York Magazine – Intelligencer, 6 May 2025.
§ Wall Street Journal. “Hollywood Executives Say Incentives, Not Tariffs, Would Boost Filmmaking in U.S.” The Wall Street Journal, 7 May 2025.
§ Toxigon. “Industry Reacts to Trump’s 100% Movie Tariff Threat: ‘This Would Destroy the Independent Film Sector.’” Toxigon, 6 May 2025.
§ Wired. “Trump’s Tariffs Won’t Make Hollywood Great Again—But There’s a Plan That Can.” Wired, 7 May 2025.
