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Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said in a statement to 9news.com.au he is now working with the chief executive of Screen Australia following the latest tariff blow to threaten Australian industry.
“I’ve spoken to the CEO of Screen Australia and we’re monitoring this closely,” Burke said following the US president’s social media announcement.
“Nobody should be under any doubt that we will be standing up unequivocally for the rights of the Australian screen industry.”
Trump today said in a post on Truth Social that he would impose 100 per cent tariffs on any movies “produced in foreign lands” and imported into America.
“The Movie Industry in America is DYING a very fast death,” Trump wrote in his post.
“Other Countries are offering all sorts of incentives to draw our filmmakers and studios away from the United States.
“Therefore, I am authorising the Department of Commerce, and the United States Trade Representative, to immediately begin the process of instituting a 100% Tariff on any and all Movies coming into our Country that are produced in Foreign Lands. WE WANT MOVIES MADE IN AMERICA, AGAIN!”
It remains unclear how such a tariff would be imposed as films are considered intellectual property, not products.
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon also told a local news conference that his government was awaiting more news about the anticipated tariffs.
“We’ll have to see the detail of what actually ultimately emerges,” Luxon said.
“But we’ll be obviously a great advocate, great champion of that sector in that industry.”
Australia’s local film industry is a growing one, with Hollywood productions including recent blockbusters Anyone But You and The Fall Guy filmed in-part on Australian soil in Sydney.
Queensland’s Gold Coast has become a popular backdrop for overseas productions too – so much so it’s earned the nickname “Goldywood”.
The Australian government also offers a tax offset for those who invest in the local film industry.
There is currently a 30 per cent rebate offered for the production of large-budget film and television projects shot in Australia.