TRUMPS'S INSANE PLAN TO HIT BOLLYWOOD WITH 100% TARRIES | Is Indian Cinema in Danger?
You're reading that right. After a long pause in headline-grabbing moves, Donald Trump has come up with something truly unexpected—a 100% tariff on all foreign films released in the USA, including Bollywood.
And no, this isn’t a drill. If Trump regains power, this massive tariff on Indian movies and global cinema could very well become reality.
Let’s break down what’s going on, why Trump is doing this, and why it could hurt not just Indian cinema, but global film industries like Japan, South Korea, and Europe.
🎬 Why Is Trump Imposing Tariffs on Foreign Films?
According to Trump, American films are losing revenue, and he's blaming foreign countries and international film productions for it. His argument?
- American movie studios are choosing to shoot in places like Australia, Japan, and Canada to save costs.
- Foreign movies—Bollywood, anime, K-dramas, European films—are earning more in the US without giving back to the American economy.
- And worse (according to Trump), this is turning into a “national security threat.”
Yes, Trump is calling declining Hollywood revenue a national security issue. Here's what he posted:
“The movie industry in America is dying very soon. This is a concerted effort by other countries... It is a national security threat.”
💥 What Does a 100% Tariff Mean for Bollywood?
If this tariff goes through, every Indian film released in the US would cost double to distribute. That means:
- Ticket prices will rise.
- Distributors will hesitate to pick Indian films.
- Viewership will decline.
- Revenue will take a hit.
Indian films like Pathaan and RRR earned ₹100–150 crores from the US box office. But after this tariff? Those numbers could drop to ₹40–50 crores or less.
🌏 Not Just Bollywood—Japan, Korea, and Europe Are Worried Too
While Bollywood might take a hit, Japanese anime studios are panicking. Why?
- The global anime market crossed $28 billion in 2023.
- Anime has a huge following in the US.
- Series like Demon Slayer and Jujutsu Kaisen have strong American fanbases.
This tariff could disrupt anime releases, cosplay events, fan culture, and merchandise revenue—billions at stake.
South Korea is also at risk. With the rise of K-dramas, K-movies, and Korean pop culture in the US, this tariff affects them deeply too.
🎥 Hollywood’s Global Domination Is Already Strong
Let’s be honest—Hollywood movies already dominate the global box office. Here’s proof:
- Avatar: The Way of Water earned over ₹370 crores in India alone.
- Avengers: Endgame did the same.
- Godzilla x Kong made over $120 million in China (nearly ₹1000 crores).
So, Trump’s argument that the US movie industry is “dying” doesn’t fully add up. Yes, there are ups and downs, but Hollywood isn’t collapsing.
🧨 Did China Trigger This?
Here’s where things get interesting.
China recently announced it will reduce the number of Hollywood movies allowed in its theaters. This limits Disney, Marvel, and DC’s earnings from a huge market.
Ideally, Trump should’ve responded by targeting Chinese imports. After all, Chinese films rarely succeed internationally, and are often seen as state propaganda. But instead, he’s targeting all foreign countries, including allies like India, Japan, and European nations.
🎫 Will This Impact Streaming Platforms Like Netflix?
A big unanswered question:
Will Trump’s 100% tariff also apply to streaming platforms?
If RRR or Jawan appears on Netflix US, will the platform have to pay a tariff?
What about users buying Indian films on Amazon Prime or Apple TV?
These questions remain, and Trump hasn't clarified whether digital releases are included. But if they are, global streaming could become a mess.
🇮🇳 How Should India Respond?
If this tariff becomes reality, India might retaliate with its own tariffs on Hollywood. This would:
- Raise ticket prices for Marvel, DC, and Disney movies in India
- Impact box office revenues for American studios
- Damage India–US soft power ties
🚨 Final Thoughts: A Senseless Move With Global Impact
Let’s call this what it is: a confused, knee-jerk reaction. Instead of addressing the real problem (like China’s restrictions), Trump is targeting all global film industries, including those that don’t threaten Hollywood’s dominance.
This move could disrupt:
- Indian and regional cinema’s growth abroad
- Japan’s thriving anime export economy
- South Korea’s rising film and pop culture scene
- Global streaming platforms
Let’s hope sanity prevails and Trump walks back this decision. But if not, the global film industry is headed for a costly clash.
🔔 Stay Tuned
This story is still unfolding. Whether this tariff is implemented or reversed, I’ll keep you posted with updates.
If you care about Bollywood, anime, or just love movies—share this blog and let more people know what's coming.