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Major blow for UK films as Trump threatens to slap 100% tariff on movies made outside US to save ‘dying' Hollywood

Major blow for UK films as Trump threatens to slap 100% tariff on movies made outside US to save ‘dying' Hollywood

The Irish Sun05-05-2025

DONALD Trump has vowed to slap a 100 per cent tariff on importing foreign movies to the US in a major blow to the UK.
The President - who was regularly slammed Hollywood as being the "liberal elite" - is now stepping in as he claims to save them.
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Donald Trump at the Oscars in 2011 with actress Helena Bonham Carter and wife Melania
Credit: Getty
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Trump famously appeared in Home Alone 2
Credit: Alamy
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Director Cary Joji Fukunaga, center, with actors Daniel Craig, left, and Lashana Lynch on the set of No Time to Die
Credit: AP
It is not clear what the tariff would be placed on, given there are no import fees for bringing in a film to the US.
Hollywood productions often look to foreign countries like Canada, the UK, Australia or New Zealand as they have specialist work forces and financial incentives.
In a post on social media, Trump said: "The Movie Industry in America is DYING a very fast death.
"Other Countries are offering all sorts of incentives to draw our filmmakers and studios away from the United States.
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"Hollywood, and many other areas within the USA, are being devastated. This is a concerted effort by other Nations and, therefore, a National Security threat.
"It is, in addition to everything else, messaging and propaganda!
"WE WANT MOVIES MADE IN AMERICA, AGAIN!"
Philippa Childs, head of the Broadcasting, Entertainment, Communications and Theatre Union (Bectu), said the UK industry is "only just recovering" from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, when many productions were delayed or cancelled.
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"The UK is a world leader in film and TV production, employing thousands of talented workers, and this is a key growth sector in the Government's industrial strategy," she said.
"These tariffs, coming after Covid and the recent slowdown, could deal a knock-out blow to an industry that is only just recovering and will be really worrying news for tens of thousands of skilled freelancers who make films in the UK.
Trump's 'explosive' global tariffs take effect including 104% hike on China
"The Government must move swiftly to defend this vital sector, and support the freelancers who power it, as a matter of essential national economic interest."
Trump's latest announcement is part of an ongoing trade war after he placed tariffs of up to 145 per cent on Chinese goods.
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China had hit back against Trump by banning Hollywood flicks as President Xi Jinping vowed to "fight to the end".
Trump has a long history with the silver screen and appeared in some 15 films, usually as himself, with his most famous appearance in Home Alone 2.
He also appeared in TV shows in the 1990s and 2000s.
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The Shire set in Matamata, New Zealand, where the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies were filmed
Credit: Getty - Contributor
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What's really behind Chris Martin & Dakota Johnson's split after 8 years as actress feels ‘incredible pain' at break-up
What's really behind Chris Martin & Dakota Johnson's split after 8 years as actress feels ‘incredible pain' at break-up

The Irish Sun

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  • The Irish Sun

What's really behind Chris Martin & Dakota Johnson's split after 8 years as actress feels ‘incredible pain' at break-up

LOVE-SPLIT stars Chris ­Martin and Dakota Johnson were on the rocks for ten months as cracks began to appear on their picture- perfect facade. But while reps for the Coldplay frontman and Fifty Shades Of Grey actress Dakota insisted they were ' 9 Dakota Johnson and Chris ­Martin have split after eight years together Credit: Getty 9 Chris' relationship with Dakota had been on the rocks for 10 months before their split Credit: Alamy 9 The couple holding hands in Mumbai in January Credit: BackGrid The pair, who got engaged in 2020 but kept it under wraps for years, A well-placed source revealed: 'Dakota wanted this relationship to work. 'She not only loves Chris, but his two kids, and that loss feels incredibly painful. 'The decision to end things was amicable, but Dakota is finding it hard. 'Over the past year, it became clear that their relationship had stalled and wasn't moving forwards. 'Having children together didn't seem to be on the cards, and their careers have been pulling them in different directions. 'Chris has been on tour for three years, his schedule is insane. 'Settling down, as in Chris properly taking his foot off the pedal, isn't going to happen. Most read in Celebrity 'And, ultimately, it was one of the many straws that broke the back of them.' It is not the first time Chris, 48, and Dakota, 35, have ended things. Chris Martin and Dakota Johnson visits Hindu temple ahead of Coldplay concert In 2019, just over a year after they started dating, They quickly reunited and an engagement soon followed, with a huge emerald ring that was reported to have cost Chris £300,000. In fact, Gwyn — who married Chris in 2003 but announced in 2014 that she was 'consciously uncoupling' from the music star — gave the ­couple her seal of approval. "But I think, in this case, just having passed through it iteratively, I just adore her.' It was finally confirmed By summer, their relationship was said to have been close to breaking point again. 9 Chris and Dakota at the beginning of their relationship in 2018 Credit: The Mega Agency 'This break-up has been on the cards for almost a year,' our source explained. 'Chris and Dakota have had issues in their relationship, but they have always managed to work through them. 'They approached it like a team and were supportive of each other's careers. "Dakota even directed Coldplay's video for Cry Cry Cry in 2020. 'They were great cheerleaders for each other. "But after he went on tour in 2022, things became more complicated. "Earlier this year, they had more time to talk because Chris's schedule calmed down and it became clear they were in a rut and they weren't moving forwards. 'Dakota is holding out that there is hope for them in the future but, for now, they aren't together and are trying to move forwards.' 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'And, especially being a woman, I'm like, 'What a magical f***ing thing to do. What a crazy, magical, wild experience'. "If that's meant to happen for me, I'm totally down for it. 'We're not here for very long, so if I'm meant to be a mother, bring it on.' Of Chris's children, Apple and Moses, she added: 'I love those kids like my life depends on it. With all my heart.' Dakota was seen for the first time after the news of their split in New York this week. She had taken off the emerald engagement ring Chris proposed with and kept a low profile as she headed for lunch with friends. Chris, meanwhile, will play another night in Clark County tomorrow, before shows in Colorado, Texas and Massachusetts. 9 Dakota in a scene from Fifty Shades Freed Credit: Alamy 9 Dakota as the lead in Madame Web Credit: PA Our source said: 'It's business as usual for Chris and Dakota right now, because there's nothing else they can do. 'Break-ups are never easy and this one isn't any ­different. 'But they haven't been together for some time, so there has been a chance for Dakota and Chris to navigate this without it being public knowledge. 'The hardest part for Dakota will be losing not only Chris, but the extended family in Apple and Moses, who she doted on. 'They will undoubtedly stay in touch as they're older — they're not kids any more. 'But it won't be the same and naturally they will grow apart as people so often do. 'It's going to be a difficult road for her to navigate, but there is nothing but love between them. Read more on the Irish Sun 'Sadly it just wasn't going to be the happily ever after Dakota wanted." 9 Chris is travelling the world with Coldplay Credit: Getty Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club.

Fans convinced UFC have CONFIRMED Jon Jones' retirement with shock Tom Aspinall social media post
Fans convinced UFC have CONFIRMED Jon Jones' retirement with shock Tom Aspinall social media post

The Irish Sun

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  • The Irish Sun

Fans convinced UFC have CONFIRMED Jon Jones' retirement with shock Tom Aspinall social media post

MMA fans are convinced the UFC have confirmed Jon Jones' retirement from the sport. The former pound-for-pound king and current heavyweight champ has left fight fans on tenterhooks over the last few weeks with conflicting statements over his future . Advertisement 6 Jon Jones' fighting future is up in the air Credit: GETTY 6 The UFC legend has toed and froed with the prospect of retirement Credit: GETTY 6 Brit bruiser and rival Tom Aspinall recently came out and claimed Jone has 'retired' Credit: GETTY 6 The UFC have added fuel to the fire by sharing the interview in which Aspinall made the bombshell claim to its official YouTube channel Credit: UFC@YOUTUBE Jones, 37, has left interim counterpart Wigan warrior Aspinall came out this week and claimed the MMA great is " RETIRED " during an appearance on Good Guy/Bad Guy with Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen. And the UFC made the unprecedented decision to post the ESPN interview, which had a simple thumbnail including a picture of Aspinall and "he's retired" emblazoned across it, on their official YouTube channel for their 21 million subscribers to watch. Their sharing of the video, which isn't a huge surprise given ESPN are the current owner of the promotion's North American broadcast rights, set fight fans' chins wagging. Advertisement READ MORE ON JONES VS ASPINALL And several of them interpreted the post as the promotion admitting Jones' fighting days are over. One commented on the video: "The fact that the UFC is posting this is encouraging." Another said: "You know Jones is ducking when the UFC allows this on their socials." And another said: "The fact that the UFC uploaded this interview to their channel with this title says A LOT ." Advertisement Most read in MMA JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS 6 "There is definite movement of this situation coming." One remarked: "Is this Jon's retirement announcement?" Advertisement Jon Jones Blasts UFC Rival Tom Aspinall In X-Rated Rant Another chimed in: "To put this interview on the official channel is huge, UFC is getting tired of Jones." The UFC's sharing of the interview is by no means an admission that Jones has opted to walk away from the sport. It coud very well be a negotiation tactic to entice the Hall-of-Famer to take the fight, which he demanded "F**K YOU MONEY " for. A historic unification bout between Jones and Aspinall has been on the cards since last November. Advertisement Jones' maiden defence of the heavyweight strap against Stipe Miocic at Madison Square Garden set the table for a mammoth melee with Aspinall. But frustratingly, it's yet to come to fruition and Aspinall, who hasn't fought since last July, has been left twiddling his thumbs on the sidelines. 6 The UFC have met Jon Jones' demands to be paid "f**k you money" to fight Tom Aspinall Credit: GETTY

Roscommon man Robert Pether released from jail in Iraq after being detained for four years
Roscommon man Robert Pether released from jail in Iraq after being detained for four years

Irish Independent

timean hour ago

  • Irish Independent

Roscommon man Robert Pether released from jail in Iraq after being detained for four years

The Australian citizen, who had been living in Elphin in Co Roscommon with his family, was detained in April 2021 and was found guilty of deception in a 'kangaroo court', according to his wife, Desree. Mr Pether has now been released from prison and is on bail and remains in Iraq. Tánaiste Simon Harris said this is the 'first step' in coming back to Ireland. 'This evening, I have been informed of the release on bail of Robert Pether, whose imprisonment in Iraq has been a case of great concern,' he said. 'This is very welcome news in what has been a long and distressing saga for Robert's wife, three children and his wider family and friends.' The Irish-based engineer was helping to design the Central Bank in Baghdad and was set to work on three hospitals. However, there was a contract dispute between his employer and the Central Bank of Iraq, which led to Mr Pether and his Egyptian colleague ending up in prison. Mr Pether has been in an Iraqi jail since, with his family fearing for his health. They have been lobbying the Government for help since Mr Pether's arrest in 2021. 'Foreign Minister Hussein of Iraq, whom I spoke to last month to urge Robert's release, called me this evening with the news. I was informed that Robert has been released on bail and for the moment he remains in Iraq, but I welcomed this as a first step to his being allowed to return to his family in Roscommon,' said the Tánaiste. Ms Pether told the Irish Independent in 2022 how the only communication she was having with her husband was when he able to ring her from the prison twice a week, in calls ranging from three to 15 minutes in length. 'Robert is in such a different situation being in prison, we don't have contact with him and I've only seen one photo of him,' she said at the time. 'He's aged so much, he's completely white and he's not well.' Mr Harris also spoke to Ms Pether tonight and said he was concerned about Mr Pether's health and the remaining charges. 'I also spoke this evening with Robert's wife, Desree Pether, about this positive development,' he said. 'I want to thank Irish diplomatic officials based in the region for their continued work on this case. 'We remain concerned about Robert's health and outstanding charges, but I am hopeful now of a positive resolution in this case.'

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