WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – Some lawmakers say there are better ways to incentivize filmmaking in America, after President Trump proposed tariffs on movies made overseas.
Movie producer-turned California Congresswoman Laura Friedman, whose district includes Hollywood, says making movies in America is important.
“One of the reasons that we are a beacon of Democracy around the world is because we’ve shown people what the American experience is and what our values are through our films,” Friedman said.
She disagrees with the president’s push for a 100% tariff on foreign-made films. The president said on Truth Social he’s authorizing the Commerce Department and U.S. trade representative to start that process.
“If they’re not willing to make a movie inside the United States, then we should have a tariff,” President Trump said Sunday.
Friedman says she’s concerned tariffs could make seeing a movie more costly.
“It’ll just make it harder for people to afford streaming services and be a disincentive for people to go to the movies. And we’re trying to lure people back to the movies,” Friedman said.
California Congressman Ted Lieu pushed back, too.
“If ‘All Quiet on the Western Front’ had to be renamed ‘All Quiet on the U.S. side of the Canadian Border’– much less interesting movie,” Lieu said.
The California Democrats are instead pushing for a federal film tax credit. A spokesperson for California Sen. Adam Schiff says he’s currently working on a proposal.
Sen. Schiff said in a statement he welcomes “the opportunity to work with the administration and my Republican colleagues to pass a globally competitive federal film incentive to bring back run-away production.”
“I think that is the way to go. Because that doesn’t actually increase costs,” Lieu said.
Friedman says she thinks there’s enough interest in Congress to make it happen.
“We want to protect this industry. It’s really important. These are American jobs. This is an American industry, and we need to keep it here,” Friedman said.
Source: Fox 8 News Channel
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