- Unlike the other sectors that President Donald Trump has sought to protect with tariffs, the U.S. film industry runs a $15.3 billion surplus—more than telecommunications, transportation, healthcare and insurance. Should Trump proceed with his plan, it could result in billions in lost earnings for major studios. Hollywood exports three times as much as it imports and runs a positive trade balance with every major international market.
It is undoubtedly President Trump’s most novel trade idea yet—impose tariffs on an industry where the U.S. is the world leader that runs a healthy trade surplus.
