MPs warned Donald Trump’s tariffs could ruin UK movie industry
Proposed 100 per cent tariffs on non-American films from US President Donald Trump could potentially be calamitous for the UK movie industry, MPs have been warned.
It comes after Trump brought his brewing trade war to the door of the film industry on May 4th, imposing his plan to introduce tariffs in an attempt to revive Hollywood as productions increasingly turn their back on it in favour of more cost-effective shooting locations.
The threat of the president’s bruising plans has caused concern in the UK, one of the countries benefiting from a filmmaking boom. Now, a trade union head for the creative industries has warned government officials that the impact could be catastrophic.
Phillipa Childs, head of the Bectu Union, said in comments reported by The Guardian on May 5th: “These tariffs, coming after Covid and the recent slowdown, could deal a knockout blow to an industry that is only just recovering, and will be really worrying news for tens of thousands of skilled freelancers who make films in the UK.”
She added: “The government must move swiftly to defend this vital sector and support the freelancers who power it, as a matter of essential national economic interest.”
Another senior figure in the UK’s creative industries sector noted: “If it becomes real, it will be huge. It could possibly wipe out the British film industry and its crews.”
In the US, California Governor Gavin Newsom is attempting to work with Trump regarding the film tariffs, unveiling plans for a $7.5 billion tax incentive to shore up Hollywood on May 5th.
Trump has explained his reasoning for imposing the tariffs by saying: “Hollywood is being destroyed. Other nations have stolen our movie industry.”
At this stage, no concrete plans exist for the tariffs to be introduced.
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