Tue May 13 04:31:14 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to impose 100% tariffs on foreign-made films is sending shockwaves through the global film industry, especially as the Cannes Film Festival begins. This potential trade war adds to existing anxieties caused by the rise of streaming platforms, like Netflix, and declining cinema attendance. The move is seen as part of a broader tension between the U.S. and Europe regarding film and TV regulations, including those promoting European cinema and funding independent filmmakers. The industry is now bracing for discussions in Cannes centered on Trump’s intentions and potential impact on global film trade.

**News Article:**

**Trump’s Tariff Threat Casts Shadow Over Cannes Film Festival**

**Paris – May 13, 2025:** The Cannes Film Festival is poised to be dominated by concerns over a potential trade war ignited by U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent threat to impose 100% tariffs on movies “produced in foreign lands.” The announcement has sent ripples of anxiety through the global film industry, already grappling with the increasing dominance of streaming platforms and struggling cinema attendance figures.

Industry insiders believe the tariff threat, part of Trump’s “Make America Great Again” agenda, is aimed at European film and TV regulations designed to protect and promote local cinema. These regulations include measures like ticket taxes for independent filmmakers and quotas for European productions.

“It’ll be one of the big issues in Cannes,” said Eric Marti from Comscore. Discussions at the festival are expected to center on Trump’s intentions and the potential impact on a highly globalized industry that depends on open trade. The threat adds another layer of uncertainty to an already challenging commercial landscape for traditional cinema, with some industry leaders suggesting cinema-going is becoming an “outmoded idea” for many. Directors, actors, and distributors are now looking to key figures like Jon Voight, Mel Gibson, and Sylvester Stallone for insights into the administration’s plans. The situation highlights growing tensions between the U.S. and Europe over the future of the film and television industries.

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