Trump's Movie Tariff: Raiding the Ark of the Covenant... of Hollywood!

Another Day Another Tomb... Err Tariff?

Right strap in darlings. Seems our friend ex President Trump has decided to go all Indiana Jones on the film industry. Apparently he's slapping a 100% tariff on movies made outside the U.S. claiming Hollywood is 'dying a very fast death.' Honestly sounds like someone's been raiding a few too many tombs filled with pharaohs and snakes… or maybe just watching too many bad B movies.

Is It Propaganda or Just a Really Bad Script?

According to Trump this isn't just about jobs; it's a 'National Security threat' and 'messaging and propaganda.' I must say even I with my vast experience navigating ancient booby traps find it hard to believe that foreign films pose an existential threat to America. Unless of course they're planning to unleash a horde of CGI zombies on Times Square. But even then I'd fancy our chances.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick Says: "We're On It."

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick bless his cotton socks chimed in with a simple "We're on it." One can only imagine what 'it' entails. Perhaps a full scale government expedition to raid every foreign film set? Or maybe just a really really long form to fill out. The specifics are about as clear as mud darling but I have a feeling that clarity is not their goal.

Location Location Location... Or Tax Incentives?

Here's the rub: Los Angeles film production is down nearly 40% in the last decade. Governments worldwide are throwing around tax breaks and incentives like confetti at a particularly lavish party. So naturally productions are following the money. Can't say I blame them. Even I've been known to follow a trail of ancient gold across continents.

Raiders of the Lost Ark... of Hollywood?

Former Commerce official William Reinsch is warning of devastating retaliation. He says 'The retaliation will kill our industry. We have a lot more to lose than to gain.' I must concur. This whole thing is about as sensible as using a hand grenade to open a biscuit tin. It’s messy unnecessary and likely to blow up in your face.

What's Next? Crystal Skulls or Just More Bureaucracy?

So what's the takeaway from all this? Well as I always say 'We all make choices. But in the end our choices make us.' And it seems the U.S. has made a choice to potentially hamstring its own film industry. I'll be watching from the sidelines popcorn in hand as this unfolds. One thing's for sure: it's bound to be more entertaining than some of the films they're trying to protect.