‘It’s disconcerting’: Proposed Trump tariffs prompt worry for N.S. film industry
Film producer and former chair of Screen Nova Scotia, Marc Almon, expressed concern over U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed 100 per cent tariff on foreign movies, warning of potential chaos for the film industry in Nova Scotia. In an interview with CBC’s Maritime Noon, Almon stated that the impact of the proposed tariff is uncertain but could have negative consequences for foreign service production in Nova Scotia and beyond.
Trump’s announcement, made on Truth Social, called for a 100 per cent tariff on all movies produced outside the United States. While no executive order has been signed yet, the potential tariff has raised significant alarm within the Canadian film industry. Almon emphasized that such tariffs could dissuade foreign producers from choosing Nova Scotia as a filming location, disrupting the industry’s stability and reliability.
The film industry in Nova Scotia contributes approximately $150 million to $200 million to the provincial economy annually, with half of this revenue coming from foreign service production. Trump’s proposed tariff comes on the heels of a $38 million addition to the Nova Scotia Film and Television Production Incentive Fund in December, aiming to bolster the local industry. This fund provides economic incentives for screen-based content with both majority Nova Scotian ownership and international or out-of-province ownership.
Barry Hertz, deputy arts editor and film editor for the Globe and Mail, criticized Trump’s plan, highlighting its impracticality and lack of consideration for the intricate details involved in film production. The uncertainty surrounding the application of tariffs to film costs, box office sales, or streaming subscriptions further complicates the situation. Despite Trump’s accusations of other countries luring productions away with incentives, major U.S. studios and the Motion Picture Association have yet to comment on the proposed tariffs.
Almon stressed the need for the Canadian film industry to reduce its dependence on the U.S. market and explore alternative strategies for growth and sustainability. He proposed implementing taxes on foreign streaming services operating in Canada and fostering the creation of intellectual property within the country as potential solutions. Almon called on the Canadian government to intervene and protect the industry from external threats like Trump’s proposed tariffs, urging a focus on building a more resilient domestic film industry.
