Donald Trump says “James Bond has nothing to worry about” amid tariff plans
Donald Trump has confirmed the James Bond film series has “nothing to worry about” despite his plans to introduce tariffs on movies not made in America.
Earlier this week, on May 4th, Trump brought his brewing trade war to the film industry’s door, imposing his plan to introduce tariffs in an attempt to revive Hollywood as productions increasingly turn their backs on it in favour of more cost-effective shooting locations, such as the United Kingdom and mainland Europe.
Trump said of his plan for 100 per cent tariffs on non-American movies: “Our film industry has been decimated by other countries, taking them out. And also by incompetence. Like in Los Angeles, the governor is a grossly incompetent man. He’s just allowed it to be taken away from, y’know, Hollywood. Hollywood doesn’t do very much of that business.”
Now, Trump has clarified his plans when asked by The Times at a press conference, stating, “As you know, we’re putting tariffs on… film, the moviemakers. And we’re going to be doing some tariffs to get them, because a lot of them have left this country.”
He continued: “They all live here, the money comes from here, everything comes from here, but they make them in other countries. So, we’re gonna do something to bring them back, maybe to a large extent.”
Trump said of Bond’s future: “But James Bond has nothing to worry about, that I can tell you. And you know, Sean Connery was a friend of mine. Sean Connery was responsible for my getting zoning in Aberdeen. He said, ‘Let the bloody bloke build his golf courses.’ I was like four years into the process, and it was impossible in Aberdeen. I don’t know, he just stood up one day and said that. As soon as he said that, I got approvals in about two minutes. He was a great guy, Sean Connery and great character.”
His latest comments follow a statement from the White House saying “no final decisions” have been made on the tariff plan. A spokesperson added: “The Administration is exploring all options to deliver on President Trump’s directive to safeguard our country’s national and economic security while Making Hollywood Great Again.”
Whoopi Goldberg has criticised the plan, and MPs have also been warned that it could destroy the British film industry.
Never Miss A Scene
The Far Out Film Newsletter
All the latest film news from the independent voice of culture.
Straight to your inbox.