Conservative actor Kirk Cameron had people raising their eyebrows after he backed President Donald Trump's proposed tariffs on films made outside the U.S., reasoning that foreign locations are unnecessary with the rise of "artificial intelligence and computer-generated imagery."
Earlier this week, Trump announced via a post on Truth Social that he has directed the Commerce Department and the U.S. Trade Representative to impose a 100% tariff on all foreign-produced films imported into the United States.
It's unclear how Trump's proposed tariff would be implemented, as movies are considered intellectual property rather than tangible goods and are typically treated as services under trade law—not subject to tariffs.
However, the U.S. Trade Representative acknowledges that some services, including film, can be affected by non-tariff trade barriers such as regulatory requirements and foreign tax incentives. These incentives—offered by cities like Toronto and Dublin—have already drawn many productions away from Hollywood, contributing to a steady shift in where films and shows are made.
But according to Cameron, there isn't much to worry about at all because "Trump thinks so far out of the box compared to the rest of us":
"[Trump's] comment that Hollywood is dying is not only applying to financial revenues but it's also applying to the content, in my mind."
"Hollywood used to be wonderful, Hollywood used to be good, Hollywood used to contribute to the moral fabric of our nation and many of their projects have now plummeted because people aren't even showing up to the movies to see the ones that they make."
"So I think that Trump thinks so far out of the box compared to the rest of us, and making more movies here in America, I think is a great idea. And if ever we were to make a move like this, with artificial intelligence, and computer -generated imagery, you don't really have to go anywhere to make movies that take place in Rome, or Dubai or Germany, or anywhere like that."
"We've made lots of films here and television shows. This could impact the whole Hollywood creative industry and there are so many talented, creative people here who are going to have more and more jobs and I continue to think this is a very exciting time to be an American and a very exciting time to work in Hollywood."
You can hear what he said in the video below.
Cameron was criticized for his remarks.
Despite what Cameron said, placing tariffs or other trade restrictions on foreign-made films could end up complicating business for Hollywood rather than helping it. Many U.S. productions are filmed abroad, where tax incentives and “cheaper pay” for local crews can significantly cut costs and boost profitability.
The White House, for its part, already seems to be tempering expectations around Trump’s proposal.
In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, spokesperson Kush Desai said that “no final decisions” had been made, but that the administration was “exploring all options” to fulfill Trump’s directive to protect “national and economic security” while aiming to “Make Hollywood Great Again.”
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