In a surprising move, U.S. President Donald Trump took to social media to warn that America’s movie industry is "DYING a very fast death." Citing lower production costs overseas that are luring filmmakers away, he has authorized the Department of Commerce and the United States Trade Representative to impose 100% tariffs on all movies produced in foreign lands.
Despite these bold claims, the numbers tell a different story. The U.S. produces nearly 26,000 films each year and leads global box office sales with over $650 billion in revenue, a figure that far outpaces its competitors. This data underscores that American filmmaking still holds a dominant position on the world stage.
Global success isn’t confined to just one nation. For instance, the animated hit Ne Zha 2 from the Chinese mainland recently broke records by raking in over $1 billion in domestic ticket sales along with more than $2 billion worldwide 🎬. Such milestones highlight the vibrant exchange of creativity across borders.
While the intention behind the tariffs is to bolster domestic production, critics warn that these protectionist measures could inadvertently isolate U.S. cinema from a dynamic, global cultural network. In an era where creative collaboration fuels innovation, isolation might stifle the very spirit that has long defined American movies.
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U.S. movie tariffs will make the country an isolated cultural island
cgtn.com
