Uncertainty in the Creative Sector: The Implications of Proposed Film Tariffs

A New Disruption in an Already Fragile Industry

Earlier this week, President Donald Trump announced a proposal to impose a 100% tariff on all foreign-produced films entering the United States. This followed a meeting with actor Jon Voight, who reportedly encouraged a limited tariff as a way to support domestic production.

The policy proposal has added further volatility to an industry already under pressure. Production delays, shifts in streaming consumption, rising costs, and the integration of artificial intelligence have left many parts of the film and TV ecosystem in a precarious position. Now, the threat of restrictive tariffs — without clear definitions or timelines — has introduced another layer of uncertainty.

What Could This Mean for the Industry?

The proposed tariffs have the potential to cause significant disruption:

• International collaboration
  Many US-based productions rely heavily on international talent, filming locations, and post-production services. Tariffs could make these partnerships more difficult and expensive to maintain.

• Economic strain on allied markets
  Countries such as the UK and Australia, which have thriving film industries supported by tax incentives, may be particularly vulnerable. UK officials have warned that such measures could severely damage their national production capacity.

• Impact on workplace culture and staff welfare
  Policy instability on this scale often creates anxiety among workers and freelancers. It becomes harder to plan, secure future employment, or trust that international partnerships will hold. For many, it risks further eroding already fragile working conditions and undermines the psychological safety needed for a healthy creative environment.

A Need for Stability and Support

While the intent behind the proposal may be to strengthen domestic production, the approach risks doing more harm than good. In an industry built on collaboration and cross-border creativity, any policy that isolates or penalises international input must be approached with caution.

At EthicsVision, we work with organisations in the creative industries to support cultural integrity, strengthen internal investigations capacity, and build systems that protect people, particularly during periods of uncertainty. The welfare of those working behind the scenes is often the first to suffer when volatility hits. It’s in these moments that clear processes, fair handling of concerns, and consistent leadership matter most.

📩 For more information on how we support film, television, and media organisations, contact us today.