Trump Hollywood tariffs threaten SA
South Australian film bodies are keeping a close eye on US President Donald Trump following a threat to introduce 100 per cent tariffs on productions made outside the US.
South Australian Film Corporation chief executive officer Kate Croser told InDaily the state’s lead industry agency is “closely monitoring” the potential tariffs proposed by Trump yesterday.
“At this point in time, there is no information regarding how the tariffs would be structured or imposed, or what they would apply to, should they come to fruition,” she said.
“We will continue to monitor this fluid situation, and will work collaboratively with fellow screen agencies and industry bodies to seek clarity and provide guidance to the South Australian screen sector as further details emerge.”
In a post on Truth Social platform, Trump said the American film industry is dying a “very fast death”.
“Other countries are offering all sorts of incentives to draw our filmmakers and studios away from the United States,” he said.
“Hollywood, and many other areas within the USA, are being devastated.”
US President Donald Trump took to Truth Social to announce his proposed tariffs. Image: Truth Social
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Australia is such a popular location for foreign film productions, it is sometimes dubbed “Hollywood Down Under” and has been host to large-scale productions including The Fall Guy, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes and Thor: Ragnarok.
Even more recent American productions to shoot in Australia include The Mongoose, starring Liam Neeson, action thriller Apex, starring Charlize Theron, and Liane Moriarty adaptation Apples Never Fall.
New film studios and sound stages in places like the Gold Coast, Coffs Harbour, Byron Bay and Melbourne are also at varying stages of planning and construction.
Screen Producers Australia CEO Matthew Deaner said that the announcement “will send shock waves worldwide”.
“For the Australian industry, it reinforces the need for the government to focus immediately and swiftly on building a resilient local industry that can withstand global shocks like this,” Deaner said.
The federal government’s location offset scheme offers a 30 per cent rebate for big-budget film projects shot in Australia, with additional post-production rebates and state governments offering further sweeteners.
But the imposition of tariffs could mean these incentives are no longer attractive for productions aimed at the massive US market.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he has had a “warm and positive” conversation with Trump, in which tariffs were discussed.
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But he did not specifically mention to reporters the film industry tariffs Trump announced hours beforehand.
Minister for the Arts Tony Burke also said he was monitoring the situation closely.
“Nobody should be under any doubt that we will be standing up unequivocally for the rights of the Australian screen industry,” Burke said in a statement.
Mad Max Fury road was made in Australia and Africa. Image: Roadshow
Trump went on to describe the film incentives as a threat to the US by foreign nations.
“This is a concerted effort by other Nations and, therefore, a National Security threat,” he said in the post.
“It is, in addition to everything else, messaging and propaganda!”
It’s not yet clear how the tariffs would be imposed but they could also affect the export of Australian content to the US market, making tickets more expensive for films such as George Miller’s Mad Max series.
The announcement comes after Trump named Australian-raised Mad Max star Mel Gibson, Jon Voight and Sylvester Stallone as his “Special Ambassadors to a great but very troubled place, Hollywood, California”.
At the time, Trump said the trio would be his eyes and ears to the movie-making town.
“It will again be, like The United States of America itself, The Golden Age of Hollywood!” he said.
At least one of the Special Ambassadors has been taking his role very seriously, with reports that veteran actor Voight, the father of Angelina Jolie, has been taking meetings around Los Angeles with union reps and studio executives.
Entertainment site Deadline confirmed that Voight met with the Directors Guild of America, Teamsters and the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees.
The Writers Guild of America has not met with Voight, and it’s unclear whether SAG-AFTRA has entertained a conversation.
It is unclear whether Voight’s recommendations influenced the Trump announcement.
