Canberra is watching closely after Donald Trump pledged to follow through with his threat to slap a 100 per cent tariff on foreign-made films, Arts Minister Tony Burke says.
The US President, who first floated the move in May, confirmed overnight he would go ahead with it in a social media post declaring his country’s “movie making business has been stolen” by the likes of Australia.
“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.
“California, with its weak and incompetent Governor, has been particularly hard hit!
“Therefore, in order to solve this long time, never ending problem, I will be imposing a 100% Tariff on any and all movies that are made outside of the United States.”
Noting that it remains unclear how such a levy would work, Australia’s screen industry has called on the Albanese government to take swift action to safeguard it against “volatility”.
US President Donald Trump says his country’s ‘movie making business has been stolen’. Picture: Screenshot
“Fundamental issues remain unresolved as to what in practice this means and how this can be applied,” Screen Producers Australia chief executive Matthew Deaner said in a statement.
“While Australia isn’t as exposed as some other countries, it’s vital we diversify our industry through a broader range of international partnerships and expanded co-production arrangements,” Mr Deaner said.
Australia’s screen industry has been rattled by Mr Trump’s pledge to slap a 100 per cent tariff on foreign-made films. Picture: Josie Hayden / NewsWire
He called on the government to mirror legislation in Canada compelling streaming giants, such as Netflix and Disney+, to invest in locally produced content, arguing that it would help give the screen industry certainty.
Mr Burke had proposed rolling out similar regulations in July of last year.
“Local content rules for streaming platforms, strengthened funding for the ABC, SBS, and Screen Australia, and reforms to our tax offset system are essential to ensure Australian stories continue to thrive, regardless of international trade turbulence,” Mr Deaner said.
US President Donald Trump says he will slap a 100 per cent tariff on foreign-made films. Picture: Saul Loeb / AFP
Responding to Mr Trump’s announcement overnight, Mr Burke vowed to stand up for the screen industry.
“In conjunction with Screen Australia, we’ll continue to monitor the situation in the US and any impacts it might have for us in Australia,” he told NewsWire.
“Nobody should be under any doubt that we will be standing up unequivocally for the rights of the Australian screen industry.”
Australia’s screen industry is calling on the Albanese government to take action. Picture: Josie Hayden / NewsWire
Australia’s film industry has benefited greatly from a surge in American interest since the Covid-19 pandemic mostly due to lower production costs.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong pushed back when Mr Trump first threatened a film tariff in May, saying at the time that the relationship worked both ways and that “collaboration is a good thing”.
Disney and its subsidiaries Marvel and Industrial Light and Magic have invested particularly heavily.
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