Donald Trump's 100% tariff on foreign films would 'annihilate' Scottish industry, says filmmaker
Bafta-nominated filmmaker Ryan Hendrick, from Glasgow, said the movie industry will fight back against the US president's shock proposal.
Donald Trump's threat to impose a 100% tariff on foreign films would 'completely annihilate' the industry in Scotland, a filmmaker said yesterday.
Bafta-nominated Ryan Hendrick said the US president's shock announcement would kill off movie deals like his but said it 'won't and can't' be allowed to happen, as powerful production companies and big-name stars fight back.
Trump said this week he would hit all movies made outside the US with 100% tariffs - declaring Hollywood was 'dying a very fast death' as he sparked the latest in a string of trade disputes with nations around the world.
The news sent shockwaves through the industry, with veteran Scots actor Brian Cox saying it would be an 'absolute disaster' for his upcoming film.
Hendrick, who made Highland horror feature film Mercy Falls, said the industry will fight back against Trump's proposals and win.
The director and producer, from Glasgow, said: 'It is worrying because if it did come into force the current, traditional financing structure for independent films, which is already broken anyway, would be completely annihilated.
'It's something Trump obviously wants, but he knows it will create a panic and he's playing political theatre.
'I don't know how you can enforce it or legislate it. It violates various international laws and there are so many people who would be apposing it.
'The real problem it would cause filmmakers in Scotland and the UK is the ability to recoup on their investment.
North America and Canada is the main territory you aim for. If your film isn't tailored towards audience appetite in that territory your film isn't going to make money.
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'If you look at the likes of Apple, Netflix, Amazon, Disney, HBO. All these companies have invested hugely in infrastructure around the world. They are investing too much money to allow it to happen.
'It won't and can't happen in my view. I think it's too complicated to make it work.'
Much of the detail of the new tariff has yet to be confirmed.
While Trump has relied on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act for his global tariff spree, legal experts have stated that the law includes specific allowances for the free flow of informational materials, including films.
The White House followed Trump's statement with confirmation that 'no final decisions on foreign film tariffs have been made'.
Trump himself later said that he was to 'meet with the industry', saying 'I want to make sure they're happy about it'.
The Scottish Government has said it would do all it can to 'minimize the risk to the screen sector'.
The MSP Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Angus Robertson, said there has to be a 'mutual interest' in supporting the screen sector in Scotland and the US.
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