Bulwark Takes Trump’s Insane New Tariffs on… Movies?
May 5, 2025
Sonny Bunch, a movie guru known for his contributions to Morning Shots, joins the discussion to unpack Donald Trump’s bizarre proposal for 100% tariffs on foreign films. The trio examines the impracticalities of the plan and its potential chaos in the Hollywood ecosystem. They dive into the absurdity of enforcing such tariffs, especially on digital content, and debate its broader implications for American media. With a mix of humor and skepticism, they explore how these policies could disrupt the film industry’s recovery and reshape our media landscape.
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Confusing Tariff Proposal on Films
- Trump's proposal of 100% tariffs on foreign-produced movies lacks clear policy details and practical implementation clarity.
- The film industry finds the idea confusing and impractical due to undefined tariff bases and scopes.
Movies Follow Tax Incentives
- Film productions move internationally due to tax incentives and location benefits, not just creative choice.
- Tariffs are ineffective compared to incentives like tax credits to keep productions domestic.
Risks of Tariffs on Services
- Extending tariffs to services, such as movie distribution, could harm major U.S. industries.
- America is a net exporter of services; taxing them risks damaging key economic sectors.