Trump's 100% Tariff on Foreign Films Dominates Cannes Festival, Industry Warns of Global Impact
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On May 4, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 100% tariff on all non-U.S. films, citing foreign influence as a national security threat. Industry experts warn that the move could prompt retaliation, raise costs, and isolate Hollywood from the global markets it depends on. Some observers have described the tariffs as 'unworkable.' Trump has claimed that the U.S. film industry is 'dying very quickly' due to incentives offered by other countries to attract filmmakers.
The announcement has become a central topic at the 78th Cannes Film Festival, which runs from May 13 to 24, 2025, with Amelie Bonnin's 'Leave a Day' as the opening film. Festival director Thierry Frémaux expressed uncertainty about the policy, citing Trump's tendency to elaborate or contradict previous statements, and called for more details on the proposed tariffs before assessing their impact on film production and distribution.
Juliette Binoche, president of the Cannes jury and of the European Film Academy, commented that Trump appears to be trying to protect his country and his own interests, while emphasizing the strength of the European film community. Jury member Jeremy Strong noted the importance of cinema in communicating truth, especially as the industry faces new challenges.
The Cannes jury, which includes Halle Berry, Jeremy Strong, Alba Rohrwacher, Hong Sangsoo, Payal Kapadia, Carlos Reygadas, Leïla Slimani, and Dieudo Hamadi, addressed the issue at the festival's opening press conference. In addition to the tariff debate, over 350 filmmakers signed an open letter on the war in Gaza, which Binoche declined to sign, stating, 'You will maybe understand it a little later.'
Juliette Binoche criticizes Trump at the Cannes Film Festival: “He's trying to save his country and his ass” https://t.co/xfcDKcfeQH
➡ The French actress chairs the jury of the 78th edition of the most important competition in the world
At the Cannes opening press conference, jurors Jeremy Strong, Halle Berry, and Juliette Binoche addressed the festival’s new red-carpet rules and Trump — who is trying to ‘save his ass,’ Binoche says. https://t.co/cvcR3qMvmC
