Australia and New Zealand Vow to Protect Film Industries Against Trump's Proposed 100% Tariffs on Foreign Films

Australia and New Zealand have pledged to support their film industries after U.S. President Donald Trump proposed a 100% tariff on foreign-produced films, claiming it would revive the American film industry. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese criticized the tariffs and discussed them with Trump, alongside the AUKUS defense pact, during a recent call. New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon also expressed concern, emphasizing support for the local film sector. Both countries are engaging with international partners to assess the potential impact of the tariffs on their screen industries.

Trump’s Tariff Proposal Sparks Global Concern

On Sunday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to impose a 100% tariff on all films produced outside the United States. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump claimed that foreign incentives were luring American filmmakers abroad, calling it a “national security threat” and accusing other nations of engaging in “messaging and propaganda” through cinema.

“If they are not willing to make a movie inside the United States, we should have a tariff on movies that come in,” Trump told reporters, adding that Hollywood was undergoing a “very fast death” due to overseas competition, despite generating $30 billion in global revenues in 2024.

The announcement follows Trump’s earlier appointment of actors Sylvester Stallone, Mel Gibson, and Jon Voight as “special ambassadors” to help restore what he called a “Golden Age of Hollywood.”

Australia Responds: “Not the Act of a Friend”

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who secured a second term in office over the weekend, criticized the Trump administration’s earlier 10% tariffs on Australian goods and expressed concern over the new film tariff proposal.

“These tariffs are not the act of a friend,” Albanese said, referring to the broader trade measures. However, he emphasized his willingness to work with the Trump administration to find a resolution. “We talked about AUKUS and tariffs and will continue to engage,” he told reporters after a congratulatory phone call with Trump. “It was very warm … I thank him for reaching out in such a positive way as well.”

Albanese confirmed that he raised both the AUKUS defense pact and the proposed tariffs during the call, though he declined to provide specific details. He also noted that a face-to-face meeting with Trump could occur during the upcoming G7 summit in Alberta, Canada, next month.

Australia’s Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke echoed the prime minister’s stance, stating, “Nobody should be under any doubt that we will be standing up unequivocally for the rights of the Australian screen industry.” Burke confirmed he had spoken with the head of Screen Australia to assess the potential impact of the proposed tariffs.

New Zealand: “A Great Advocate” for the Screen Sector

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon also addressed the issue during a press conference, stating that while it was “too soon” to determine the full implications of Trump’s announcement, the government would remain a “great advocate” for the local film industry.

New Zealand’s screen sector, which generates approximately NZ$3.5 billion annually, relies heavily on international productions. The country’s Screen Production Rebate, offering up to 25% back to foreign productions, has attracted major U.S. titles such as Avatar: The Way of Water and M3GAN.

Anne Murray, CEO of the New Zealand Film Commission, said discussions were underway with international partners. “We’re mindful, however, this is an evolving situation and it’s too early to speculate on what this could mean,” she said.

Industry professionals expressed concern over the potential fallout. “We love having American productions working here – it’s great for the economy and it’s great for the screen industry,” said one local producer. “It would be a terrible shame if this tariff were implemented.”

AUKUS and Trade: Albanese Reaffirms Commitments

In addition to trade, Albanese reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to the AUKUS defense pact during his conversation with Trump. The agreement, signed in 2023, involves a $368 billion investment over three decades to acquire nuclear-powered submarines in partnership with the United States and the United Kingdom.

“We talked about how AUKUS and tariffs will continue to engage,” Albanese said. “We will engage with each other on a face-to-face basis at some time in the future.”

Despite the tensions over trade, Trump praised Albanese during a press interaction, calling him “very good” and “very respectful.” “I don’t know anything about the election other than the man that won, he’s very good,” Trump said. “Albanese I’m very friendly with.”

Regional Priorities and Diplomatic Strategy

Albanese confirmed that his first overseas visit following re-election would be to Jakarta, Indonesia, rather than Washington, D.C. “Our region is so important. The relationships that we have built are so important,” he said, emphasizing the strategic importance of Southeast Asia.

The decision mirrors his first term, when he also prioritized regional diplomacy by visiting Indonesia early in his tenure. Albanese also accepted an invitation from Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to attend the G7 leaders’ meeting in Alberta, where a potential meeting with Trump could take place.

Industry Uncertainty and Ongoing Dialogue

While the full scope of Trump’s proposed film tariffs remains unclear, the announcement has already unsettled industry stakeholders in both Australia and New Zealand. Questions remain about whether the tariffs would apply to U.S.-produced films shot abroad, or only to fully foreign productions.

In New Zealand, where U.S. productions like East of Eden and the Avatar sequels have employed hundreds of local workers, the uncertainty is palpable. “Everybody will be trying to find out what that 100% means,” said one industry executive.

As both countries await further clarification from Washington, their leaders have made it clear that they will continue to advocate for their screen sectors and maintain open lines of communication with the U.S. administration.

References

• Trump says he will put 100% tariff on all foreign films
• Albanese says he received 'very warm' phone call from Donald Trump
• ‘Lacking in logic’: The NZ screen industry reacts to Trump’s 100% tariff on non-US films
• Newly re-elected Australian PM Albanese says he had 'warm' conversation with Donald Trump – video