Trump’s 100% tariff won’t affect foreign films: PGI Chief

Following U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of a 100% tariff on all movies produced outside the United States, Shibasish Sarkar, President of the Producers Guild of India (PGI), shared his perspective on the move.

Sarkar said the order appears aimed at Hollywood productions filmed overseas rather than foreign-language films. “My interpretation is that Trump wants to bring Hollywood production back to the U.S., which has shifted to countries like Canada, Spain, and South Korea. We’ll have to wait for the official circular or executive order for clarity,” he explained.

Sarkar added that the measure seems intended to protect local jobs and investments, not restrict the release of foreign-language films in the American market. “His focus seems to be on retaining domestic production. It may not impact international films released in the U.S., though the exact details remain unclear,” he said.

Trump’s statement on Truth Social accused foreign nations of “stealing” America’s film industry, comparing it to “stealing candy from a baby.” He also criticized California’s leadership for letting Hollywood decline.

The 100% tariff, according to Trump, aims to “fix a long-standing issue” and restore the U.S. as the global hub for movie production — a move industry experts say could reshape Hollywood’s international operations