Posting on his Truth Social platform, Trump argued that the American film industry has been undermined by overseas competition. “Our movie-making business has been stolen from the United States of America, by other Countries, just like stealing candy from a baby,” he wrote.

The White House has yet to clarify what authority the president would invoke to enforce such a measure, or how it would be implemented. Major studios, including Warner Bros Discovery, Comcast, Paramount, Skydance and Netflix, have so far declined to comment.

Trump first floated the idea in May, but entertainment executives say details remain vague. Questions persist over whether tariffs would apply universally or target specific countries. Industry figures note that modern filmmaking is rarely confined to one nation, with financing, production, and post-production often spread across multiple borders.

Legal and trade experts have also raised doubts about the policy’s feasibility. Films are generally classified as intellectual property and fall under global trade in services, an area in which the US consistently enjoys a surplus. Applying tariffs in this context could face significant legal challenges.

Co-productions further complicate the issue. Many US blockbusters involve creative and financial collaboration with international studios, blurring the line between “foreign” and “domestic” works. Analysts warn that enforcing such a tariff could strain long-standing trade relationships and damage Hollywood’s global influence.

While Trump frames the proposal as a defence of American cultural output, the lack of clarity over legal grounds and enforcement leaves studios and trade experts uncertain whether the policy will advance beyond rhetoric.