Questions about Donald Trump’s tariff threats came a big hit on the first day of the Gold Coast screen as the president’s social media post echoed in the industry.
On US Sunday, Trump used the true society to mourn the “late death” of the US film industry, then argued that he would grant the Department of Commerce and US trade representatives and set a 100% tariff on feature films coming to the US produced on “foreign lands.”
The potential impact of such a move has sparked much debate, not as much as the US itself, where major studios are reportedly blinded. Trump said Monday (US time) that he will talk to representatives of the US business to discuss the plans.
This is the second time screen producer Australia (SPA) Screen Forever Conference has been hit by a potentially drastic change from the US in three years. In 2023, the American Writers Guild took place a few days after it was called the 2023 strike.
“The US administration’s aggressive trade and tariff stance has encouraged entities like the MPA (film association) and the global streamers they represent, but the Australian government is standing firm under this pressure and of course must do so.
“This is more than us. It’s about the ongoing role of Australia’s narrative in our lives. And of course, it’s not just Australia. Now, Spa is working with its international counterparts to work together in a statement to dismiss the notion that commercial interests should determine the domination of a state of cultural sovereignty.”
Trump also took part in the agenda in a session entitled Play of Play. Damien Keo, CEO of the Whits Group, featured content and channel director Wendy Moore, Stan’s Chief Content Manager Kaila Scoby and Madman Entertainment CEO Paul Weagard.
From left, you will find Cailah Scobie, Paul Wiegard, Damian Keogh, Wendy Moore and Virginia Trioli.
When moderator Virginia Trioli asked Scobie if he took the threat seriously, Scobie said at the heart of Trump’s concerns it should be whether there should be more studio films made in the US, given that films could be made cheaper elsewhere.
“Fundamentally, if the problem is that it’s an issue you’re trying to solve, or if the US government is trying to deal with it, what’s the best way to do it?” she said.
“I think there have been a lot of articles over the last 24 hours, suggesting that tariffs are probably not the right way to do it, and there may be a lot of unintended consequences that result.
Keogh said there was a “a bit of naiveness” in the plan, given how global the industry was.
“() Many of the feature films made here by US studios have a lot of post-production, mixing and graphics that have been done in different countries. How does that apply? What does that apply? Is it just a film or a TV series?
The comments came as AusFilm, a membership organization that promotes Australia as a destination for international film and television productions, and placed emphasis on this issue.
In a statement to IF, CEO Kate Marks said “we have a long and mutually beneficial history of working with the US and other global partners.”
“We will closely monitor the situation and await further details and continue to work with our industry and government partners,” she said.