Jon Voight Spurs Trump to Propose Foreign Film Tariffs, Alarming UK Film Industry

 

President Donald Trump has announced plans to impose steep tariffs on foreign-made films, a move driven by actor Jon Voight, father of Angelina Jolie. The proposal has triggered serious concerns for the United Kingdom’s thriving film sector, which has become a major destination for international productions, including many American blockbusters.

 

Voight, an 86-year-old Oscar-winning actor best known for roles in Midnight Cowboy and Deliverance, has been appointed by Trump as a “special ambassador” tasked with restoring American filmmaking to what the former president described as its “golden era.” According to Trump, Voight has been actively meeting with studio executives to discuss a revival strategy for domestic film production.

 

The controversial announcement came via Trump’s Truth Social platform, where he wrote, “The Movie Industry in America is DYING a very fast death” and blamed foreign governments for luring away U.S. productions with generous incentives. “Hollywood, and many other areas within the USA are being devastated,” he said. “Therefore, I am authorizing the Department of Commerce, and the United States Trade Representative, to immediately begin the process of instituting a 100 per cent Tariff on any and all Movies coming into our Country that are produced in Foreign Lands.” His commerce secretary, Howard Lutnick, responded simply, “We’re on it.”

 

Trump later elaborated, claiming, “Other nations have been stealing the movie-making capability of the United States. If they are not willing to make a movie inside the United States, we should have a tariff on movies that come in.” He said foreign governments were offering “big money” to attract American filmmakers, calling it a “threat to our country.”

 

UK officials were reportedly blindsided by the announcement. One senior government figure said, “No one had any inkling” and even senior Trump administration members seemed surprised. The proposed tariffs were not discussed in ongoing UK-US trade negotiations, though British negotiators are now pushing for a clause to make it harder for the U.S. to unilaterally impose such tariffs on UK exports.

 

The British entertainment sector is deeply worried. Philippa Childs of the Broadcasting, Entertainment, Communications and Theatre Union (BECTU), which represents 40,000 workers, said, “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.” She warned the tariffs could be devastating to an industry “only just recovering.”

 

The UK’s film, TV, and radio sector was worth £21 billion in 2023, employing around 250,000 people. British studios have flourished thanks to generous tax breaks and streaming giants like Netflix and Amazon investing heavily in UK-based production. British TV exports to the U.S. alone generate nearly £600 million annually. Tariffs could undercut this business model and impact major productions such as Jurassic World Rebirth, filmed in Hertfordshire, and future James Bond films.

 

High-profile studios like Pinewood in Buckinghamshire, Shepperton in Surrey, and Warner Bros Studios in Leavesden have hosted blockbusters including Barbie, Deadpool & Wolverine, and Mission: Impossible. Pinewood even paused an £800 million expansion earlier this year amid a global downturn in production, a situation that could worsen with U.S. tariffs.

 

It remains unclear how the proposed tariffs would be implemented, given that films are often made across multiple countries and typically controlled by U.S.-based studios like Disney, Universal, and Warner Bros. While Trump’s directive represents an expansion of his push to re-shore economic activity, his administration has not made any final decisions. White House spokesman Kush Desai confirmed on Monday, “The administration is exploring all options to deliver on the president’s directive concerning Hollywood.”

 

  Adpated by ASEAN Now from The Times  2025-05-07

 

 

And in other breaking news, Trump has announced tariffs on clouds that come from overseas.

Does anyone even watch modern movies these days?

 

I can't remember the last good one. 

 

I don't go the the cinema to be lectured to about women's empowerment or some other Woke rubbish. 

 

Even Netflix is now trotting out politically motivated garbage like Adolesence and "Harry and Meghan". The Western movie industry is dying, particularly Hollywood.  

I know a British guy who’s son has a highly successful career in the British film industry as a digital artist, his IMBD page lists a number of Hollywood blockbuster  movies on which he was lead animator. Digital animation being one of the UK Film industry success stories.

 

The father is very rightly immensely proud of his son’s achievements, while meanwhile is own social media is plastered with Pro-Trump propaganda.

 

I’m not sure I’d want to attend one of their family gatherings right now.

5 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

I know a British guy who’s son has a highly successful career in the British film industry as a digital artist, his IMBD page lists a number of Hollywood blockbuster  movies on which he was lead animator. Digital animation being one of the UK Film industry success stories.

 

The father is very rightly immensely proud of his son’s achievements, while meanwhile is own social media is plastered with Pro-Trump propaganda.

 

I’m not sure I’d want to attend one of their family gatherings right now.

 

Why ?  Most people can be in the same area as someone they don't agree with.  Not a big deal unless you choose to make it so

As the thread title says its all Angelina Jolie’s fault.

Are the tariffs levied on the cost to make the movie, or the box office takings after it is released in USA?

13 minutes ago, SLOWHAND225 said:

 

Why ?  Most people can be in the same area as someone they don't agree with.  Not a big deal unless you choose to make it so

Until it gets to cheering on their job loss.

4 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

Are the tariffs levied on the cost to make the movie, or the box office takings after it is released in USA?

Come on, this Trump, nobody has thought how it is actually going to work yet.

24 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

I know a British guy who’s son has a highly successful career in the British film industry as a digital artist, his IMBD page lists a number of Hollywood blockbuster  movies on which he was lead animator. Digital animation being one of the UK Film industry success stories.

 

The father is very rightly immensely proud of his son’s achievements, while meanwhile is own social media is plastered with Pro-Trump propaganda.

 

I’m not sure I’d want to attend one of their family gatherings right now.

So, is Trump the problem or is it the fact that people post too much personal info on social media. I vote the latter.

Another brain fart moment by Trump. Film industry is a sizeable trade surplus for US and movies are licensed and distributed on borderless cloud infrastructure. Trump is mentally retarded.   

30 minutes ago, SLOWHAND225 said:

 

Why ?  Most people can be in the same area as someone they don't agree with.  Not a big deal unless you choose to make it so

Are you sure about that ?

Read any thread in this place and there is very little rational, intelligent discussion.

Instead anyone with a different viewpoint is ridiculed and abused. 
Have a guess who on the world stage leads the charge…?

His followers take his lead and don’t care for truth, justice or the American way, just authoritarian dogma.

 

1 hour ago, animalmagic said:

Trump has announced tariffs on

... the Earth's Moon which has had unrestricted access to Earth's skies.

39 minutes ago, HighPriority said:

Have a guess who on the world stage leads the charge…?

His followers take his lead and don’t care for truth, justice or the American way, just authoritarian dogma.

 

DC comics and the Hollywood have revised Superman's slogan for a modern audience.

 

 

New film from James Gunn coming in July.

Will the traditional slogan return?

38 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

... the Earth's Moon which has had unrestricted access to Earth's skies.

 

That would be ridiculous.

 

Surely he'll annex it as the 57th state and restrict exports of green cheese to China on national security grounds.

I suppose that Voight will tell American unions to accept lower wages and force states to offer tax incentives. That should do it.

1 hour ago, JonnyF said:

Does anyone even watch modern movies these days?

 

I can't remember the last good one. 

 

I don't go the the cinema to be lectured to about women's empowerment or some other Woke rubbish. 

 

Even Netflix is now trotting out politically motivated garbage like Adolesence and "Harry and Meghan". The Western movie industry is dying, particularly Hollywood.  

Adolescence, the 4-episode TV series (not the 2018 movie) is a huge critical success:  An incredibly well-acted, well-written production.

1 minute ago, LarryLEB said:

Adolescence, the 4-episode TV series (not the 2018 movie) is a huge critical success:  An incredibly well-acted, well-written production.

 

I thought it was bang average. Filming every episode in one take without edits made for some incredibly boring scenes, like the journey to the hardware store from the house to buy paint. Riveting.  😃

 

Then there was all the woke political stuff. Toxic masculinity, Incels, black man good white man bad etc. etc.

 

Hugely over-rated, but loved/promoted by self loathing hand wringing Liberals everywhere. Many of whom seem to not realize it is in fact a drama and not a documentary (including our Prime Minister). 😆

19 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

I thought it was bang average. Filming every episode in one take without edits made for some incredibly boring scenes, like the journey to the hardware store from the house to buy paint. Riveting.  😃

 

Then there was all the woke political stuff. Toxic masculinity, Incels, black man good white man bad etc. etc.

 

Hugely over-rated, but loved/promoted by self loathing hand wringing Liberals everywhere. Many of whom seem to not realize it is in fact a drama and not a documentary (including our Prime Minister). 😆

Yes, I watched all 4, just to see if it got any better. It didn't, and a poor ending.

Love the guy who wrote it, but could do better.

1 hour ago, JonnyF said:

 

I thought it was bang average. Filming every episode in one take without edits made for some incredibly boring scenes, like the journey to the hardware store from the house to buy paint. Riveting.  😃

 

Then there was all the woke political stuff. Toxic masculinity, Incels, black man good white man bad etc. etc.

 

Hugely over-rated, but loved/promoted by self loathing hand wringing Liberals everywhere. Many of whom seem to not realize it is in fact a drama and not a documentary (including our Prime Minister). 😆

Opinions differ; IMBD rate it at 8.2/10, Rotten Tomatoes gives a 99% rating. 
 

 

1 hour ago, JonnyF said:

I thought it was bang average. Filming every episode in one take without edits made for some incredibly boring scenes, like the journey to the hardware store from the house to buy paint. Riveting.  😃

 

Then there was all the woke political stuff. Toxic masculinity, Incels, black man good white man bad etc. etc.

 

Hugely over-rated, but loved/promoted by self loathing hand wringing Liberals everywhere. Many of whom seem to not realize it is in fact a drama and not a documentary (including our Prime Minister). 

 

I wouldn't give up your day job. Reviewing TV and movies not for everyone.

1 hour ago, JonnyF said:

Then there was all the woke political stuff. Toxic masculinity, Incels, black man good white man bad etc. etc.

Awww, you're so persecuted. You see literally everything as being against the white man - what a way to go through life.

 

Quote

 

Hugely over-rated, but loved/promoted by self loathing hand wringing Liberals everywhere.

Couldn't squeeze any more meaningless cliches in?

27 minutes ago, Digitalbanana said:

 

I wouldn't give up your day job. Reviewing TV and movies not for everyone.

 

I guess watching 3 people drive from their house to a hardware store to buy paint fascinates some people.

 

Simple things please simple minds. 

1 hour ago, KannikaP said:

Yes, I watched all 4, just to see if it got any better. It didn't, and a poor ending.

Love the guy who wrote it, but could do better.

 

Agree.

 

I thought it got progressively worse with each episode. 

 

First episode was OK. Went downhill from there.

 

Shame, I quite like Stephen Graham but not in this.  

5 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

Agree.

 

I thought it got progressively worse with each episode. 

 

First episode was OK. Went downhill from there.

 

Shame, I quite like Stephen Graham but not in this.  

Made for the Wokers!

I guess they saved money on not paying a video editor!

36 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Opinions differ; IMBD rate it at 8.2/10, Rotten Tomatoes gives a 99% rating. 
 

 

 

Yes and Mr Blobby got to number 1 in the charts. 

 

That guy is is so incredibly stupid, it’s not even funny anymore. Keep using your bully tactics and the US will soon be left out of everything. You’re only 320 million people out of 8 billion. Pushing entire industries away like that will make them look for alternatives. Once they’re established, they might not come back, even if it becomes possible. It’s literally lunacy! 

1 hour ago, pacovl46 said:

That guy is is so incredibly stupid, it’s not even funny anymore. Keep using your bully tactics and the US will soon be left out of everything. You’re only 320 million people out of 8 billion. Pushing entire industries away like that will make them look for alternatives. Once they’re established, they might not come back, even if it becomes possible. It’s literally lunacy! 

 

He's not pushing them away.

 

Quite the contrary, he's encouraging them to make their movies in the US. 

42 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

He's not pushing them away.

 

Quite the contrary, he's encouraging them to make their movies in the US. 

You seem to be in the know. What about the directors or actors nationality. Maybe the cultural content or aesthetic feel of a film on how it is perceived. Need all American origin? Who certify the country of origin? Ya, it is a brain fart moment from a retard. 

It would be a death sentence for the next Emily in Paris season.

Well, I must admit that Trump policies can sometimes have a positive impact! 😆