Wes Anderson Mocks Trump’s 100% Tariff on Foreign Films

CANNES, France — Wes Anderson, an acclaimed filmmaker, shared his thoughts on former President Donald Trump’s proposed 100% tariff on foreign-made films during a press conference at the Cannes Film Festival. The tariff has raised eyebrows and concerns in Hollywood, as many worry it could have significant repercussions for the film industry.

Anderson quipped about the impractical nature of the proposed tariff, questioning its implementation. “Can you hold up the movie in customs? I feel it doesn’t ship that way,” he said, drawing laughter from the audience. “The 100% tariff — I never heard of a 100% tariff before. I’m not an expert in that area of economics, but I feel that means he’s saying he’s going to take all the money. And then what do we get?”

Earlier this month, Trump announced on his Truth Social platform that he planned to impose a 100% tariff on films produced outside the U.S., claiming the American film industry was dying due to filmmakers moving abroad for tax incentives. The announcement has stirred worry and confusion among industry leaders.

Anderson, promoting his new film “The Phoenician Scheme,” expressed uncertainty over how such a tariff could be enforced in an industry that relies heavily on international collaboration. His film, which stars Benicio del Toro, Mia Threapleton, and others, had significant portions shot in Germany.

An open letter from major studios and film unions has called for government action to support the U.S. film industry instead of imposing tariffs. Experts warned that the proposed tariffs could disrupt the international nature of film production, which often involves teams from various countries working together.

Anderson’s perspective reflects broader concerns within the industry. “There’s simply no precedent or sense for applying tariffs to these types of creative services,” said Ann Koppuzha, a business law lecturer at Santa Clara University.

The White House has not confirmed any details about the implementation of the tariff, and discussions with industry executives are expected to occur soon. Meanwhile, Anderson remains focused on his upcoming release, which is set for May 30.