Latest news with #Bectu
New York Times
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Trump's Threat of ‘Foreign' Film Tariffs Stirs Anxiety in the U.K.
President Trump's desire to 'make Hollywood great again' by wielding his preferred economic weapon — tariffs — has sent a shiver through Britain's film industry. British producers, camera workers, costume designers and other film crew woke up Monday to Mr. Trump's message that he wanted to impose 100 percent tariffs on films made in 'foreign lands.' This threat is particularly alarming in Britain, where Hollywood blockbusters are a critical part of the industry. 'It came completely out of the blue,' said Philippa Childs, the head of Bectu, the British union for workers in the creative arts. 'It's pretty frightening.' Last year, nearly 90 percent of the 5.6 billion pounds, or $7.8 billion, spent on film and high-end TV production in Britain came from abroad, mostly the United States, such as the upcoming 'Jurassic World Rebirth' and 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps.' Britain's biggest and most esteemed studios are home to streaming giants like Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon Prime. For decades, productions have been drawn to Britain by its generous tax breaks but also its experienced work force, which has been making Hollywood hits since 'Star Wars' in the 1970s.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump's foreign film tariffs could ‘wipe out' UK movie industry, ministers told
Donald Trump's threat to impose 100% tariffs on movies made outside the US could wipe out the UK film industry, ministers have been warned, as they came under immediate pressure to prioritise the issue in trade talks with the White House. UK government officials and senior figures from Britain's multibillion-pound production industry are to meet imminently to discuss Trump's threat, which he made after months of promising to restore Hollywood to its 'golden age'. In an extraordinary intervention, Trump announced his intention to impose the levy on all movies 'produced in foreign lands', stating that the US film industry was facing a 'very fast death' as a result of incentives being offered overseas. The UK is among the countries offering film-makers generous tax incentives. The US president said he had already ordered the commerce department and the US trade representative to begin instituting such a tariff. He said on his Truth Social platform the issue was a 'national security threat' because of the 'concerted effort by other nations' to attract productions. 'Hollywood is being destroyed,' he later told reporters. 'Other nations have stolen our movie industry.' His outburst caused immediate concern in the UK, a regular location for some of Hollywood's biggest movie productions, including Barbie, parts of the Mission: Impossible franchise and Disney's Star Wars productions. More big movies are scheduled to be shot in the UK soon, including Star Wars: Starfighter. Philippa Childs, the head of the creative industries union Bectu, said: 'These tariffs, coming after Covid and the recent slowdown, could deal a knockout 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. '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.' One senior figure in the British creative sector said: 'If it becomes real, it will be huge. It could possibly wipe out the British film industry and its crews.' Related: Trump's movie tariffs are designed to destroy the international film industry The international feature film production spend in the UK was £1.9bn last year, with high-end TV production bringing in £2.8bn. Investment from the US on films increased 83% from the previous year. Adrian Wootton, the chief executive of the British Film Commission, said the announcement was 'clearly concerning' but said it was crucial to know more about the details of the plans. 'We will be meeting with government and our industry policy group in the coming days to discuss further,' he said. 'The UK and US have long enjoyed a strong, shared history of film-making.' Senior politicians are calling for Keir Starmer's government to prioritise the UK film industry in US trade talks, though sources have already told the Guardian that a deal is a second-order priority for Trump. Caroline Dinenage, the chair of the culture, media and sport committee, said: 'Last month the committee warned against complacency on our status as the Hollywood of Europe. President Trump's announcement has made that warning all too real. 'Making it more difficult to make films in the UK is not in the interest of American businesses. Their investment in facilities and talent in the UK, based on US-owned IP, is showing fantastic returns on both sides of the Atlantic. Ministers must urgently prioritise this as part of the trade negotiations currently under way.' James Frith, a Labour member of the committee, said any tariffs on UK film production would be self-defeating. 'Any US tariffs on foreign-made films would harm not just British jobs and creativity but also the US studios and audiences who rely on our skilled workforce and production expertise,' he said. 'It is in everyone's interest to protect this deep, highly successful partnership.' Industry insiders said it was unclear how the tariffs would work in practice, warning they would end up penalising US studios and cutting production and jobs. Trump is facing resistance in the US from the likes of Gavin Newsom, the governor of California, whose office said the president had no authority to impose such tariffs. Trump's declaration was not a complete surprise to industry and government insiders, given his previous declaration that he wanted to help 'troubled' Hollywood. Before his inauguration, he appointed Sylvester Stallone, Mel Gibson and Jon Voight as 'special ambassadors' charged with bringing back production lost to 'foreign countries'. Film and television production in Los Angeles has fallen by nearly 40% over the past decade, according to FilmLA, a non-profit that tracks the region's production. Trump's move could also be a reaction to a decision by the China Film Administration in April to 'moderately reduce the number of American films imported', in response to US tariffs on China. Related: Trump's attack on the film industry is a sign of xenophobic contempt | Jesse Hassenger Stephen Galloway, a former editor of the Hollywood Reporter, said: 'There is a gigantic problem, which Trump's social media post addresses, which is that Hollywood has been decimated – there has been a complete flight of production from Los Angeles. 'It's a locomotive that's going faster and faster and – based on the expense of living and shooting in Los Angeles, and tax breaks and subsidies from different states and other countries, and the strength of the dollar – that all makes foreign production a bargain. There's an arms race among states and countries to up the tax breaks and subsidies they offer.' Galloway suggested Trump may be acting out of a romantic fantasy, much like imagining that under steel tariffs Pittsburgh could once again become a place of US steel production, when in reality there are now about 5,000 steel mill jobs in the area. 'Hollywood is the source of all modern romantic fantasy, but can you restore it to its golden age? No, you can't,' he said. 'Everyone would love to do it, but the invention of the computer chip destroyed Hollywood as we knew it as a film manufacturing hub. 'There's a contradiction between 'let's preserve Hollywood as the centre of manufacturing' and 'let's protect ourselves from foreign propaganda'. But if foreign propaganda is a Disney movie that happened to be shot in Pinewood, what kind of propaganda is that?' A UK government spokesperson said: 'Talks on an economic deal between the US and the UK are ongoing – but we are not going to provide a running commentary on the details of live discussions or set any timelines because it is not in the national interest. 'We will continue to take a calm and steady approach to talks and aim to find a resolution to help ease the pressure on UK businesses and consumers.' Amid confusion over how any tariff could work in the complicated process of movie-making, a White House spokesperson said no final decision had been made on new levies. They said all options were being explored to deliver on Trump's concern over Hollywood.
Daily Mail
06-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Trump's tariff war on film industry sparks fears next James Bond film will be produced in Hollywood despite bosses confirming 007 'will be British'
Donald Trump 's planned tariff war on the film industry has sparked fears the next James Bond film will be entirely produced in Hollywood. The US President's announcement to slap a 100 per cent levy on movies made outside of America sent shockwaves through UK industry figures who warned it 'could deal a knock-out blow' to the film sector in Britain. Although Trump yesterday somewhat rowed back on his hardline approach, there are now genuine worries the next incarnation of the Bond franchise will be moved off these shores. Amazon's $1billion deal for creative control of the franchise and pledge to make 'drastic changes' had already shaken 007 fans. Rumours have already swirled that filming will be moved away from Bond's spiritual home at Pinewood studios in Buckinghamshire. Mark O'Connell, author of Catching Bullets: Memoirs of a Bond Fan, told the Telegraph: 'I don't mind change, but I think for the continuity of the new era of Bond, it should remain within the UK.' Oscar winner Alfonso Cuaron is reported to be in advanced talks to direct the next two Bond films. The Mexican, whose credits include the Oscar-winning films Roma and Gravity, came close to signing on to direct The World Is Not Enough in 1999, and had meetings with Barbara Broccoli and her team before thinking again. President Donald Trump made the announcement on his Truth Social platform last night While numerous sources say that new producers David Heyman and Amy Pascal are planning a modern reboot – with a young, most likely homegrown leading man as the iconic British super-spy. A source said: 'Work has started and the aim is to bring out a big-budget release and reboot in late 2026 or 2027. It's going to be a clean start and a clean slate. 'Not period. The thrill of new technology and new cars and new clothes has always been a part of it.' Matthew Field, who is on the board of directors of the Ian Fleming Foundation and the co-author of Some Kind Of Hero: The Remarkable Story Of The James Bond Films, reckons the next film would be just the first step in a long journey. He says: 'Amazon are most certainly going to get a 'tentpole film' [a major release expected to generate a lot of revenue] out first, to set the agenda for the new Bond universe. 'The obvious spin-offs would be a series on Miss Moneypenny or Q – but they can only do these once we know and understand who Moneypenny and Q are, in the new era of Bond.' The Harry Potter film series was shot almost entirely in Britain, while filming for most of the Bond movies since the 1960s has been based at world-renowned Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire. The Broadcasting, Entertainment, Communications and Theatre Union (Bectu) has urged the Government to 'move swiftly' to defend the sector. 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. Rumours have already swirled that filming will be moved away from Bond's spiritual home at Pinewood studios in Buckinghamshire '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. '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.' Culture, media and sport committee chairwoman Dame Caroline Dinenage said 'making it more difficult to make films in the UK is not in the interests of American businesses'. She added: 'Their investment in facilities and talent in the UK, based on US-owned IP [intellectual property], is showing fantastic returns on both sides of the Atlantic.' A government spokesman said they will take a 'calm and steady approach' to talks with the US. Trade deal talks are ongoing between the UK and US, but it is understood that a carve out from the film tariffs is unlikely to form part of any initial agreement. Instead, officials hope to find a 'forward-looking mechanism' to talk about possible future tariffs – including those announced by Mr Trump yesterday. Mr Trump said he has permitted the Department of Commerce and the Office of the US Trade Representative to impose the 100 per cent tariff 'on any and all Movies coming into our Country that are produced in Foreign Lands'. 'The Movie Industry in America is DYING a very fast death,' he wrote last night on his Truth Social platform, complaining that other countries 'are offering all sorts of incentives to draw' filmmakers and studios away from the US. 'This is a concerted effort by other Nations and, therefore, a National Security threat. It is, in addition to everything else, messaging and propaganda!' It was not immediately clear how any such tariff on international productions could be implemented. It is common for both large and smaller films to include production in both the US and other countries. Kirsty Bell, chief executive of production company Goldfinch, said the entertainment industry is in decline 'across the whole of the Western world' but said tariffs are not the answer. She said: 'The issue isn't that foreign films are taking precedence over domestic films, it's that, firstly, films are cheaper to make overseas, because of lack of tax credits in certain places... the unions, the lower cost of labour, and buying budgets have been drastically reduced over two years, all driven by the change in viewing habits. 'People aren't going to the cinema as much and decline in subscription services and rise of social media platforms and content creators... the industry is entirely changed.' She added: 'The answer is not tariffs if he's trying to kick-start the industry in Hollywood. It's developing an ecosystem for film-making that is entirely different to what has been before.
The Independent
05-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Trump's tariffs on non-US movies would be ‘a knock-out blow' to UK film industry
Donald Trump's plan to impose a 100% tariff on movies made outside the US 'could deal a knock-out blow' to the UK film sector, a trade union has said. The US president said in a post on his Truth Social platform that he has authorised government departments to impose the tariff 'on any and all movies coming into our country that are produced in foreign lands'. 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. '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. '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.' Culture, Media and Sport (CMS) Committee chairwoman Dame Caroline Dinenage said members warned 'against complacency on our status as the Hollywood of Europe' in their report on British film and high-end TV, published last month. 'President Trump's announcement has made that warning all too real,' she added. 'Making it more difficult to make films in the UK is not in the interests of American businesses. Their investment in facilities and talent in the UK, based on US-owned IP (intellectual property), is showing fantastic returns on both sides of the Atlantic. Ministers must urgently prioritise this as part of the trade negotiations currently under way. 'At the same time, the Government's forthcoming Creative Industries Sector Plan needs to meet the challenge we set down of incentivising inward investment while also growing our domestic sector so British film and high-end TV can thrive.' The committee's report said the UK's film and high-end television industry is 'dominated' by inward investment from US studios and that this 'brings significant economic and social benefits to the UK'. Mr Trump's latest announcement is part of an ongoing trade war after he placed tariffs of up to 145% on Chinese goods. Tariffs are taxes charged on goods imported from other countries. It is not clear how a tariff on international productions could be implemented. Many films are shot across numerous countries, including the US and UK. Shadow culture secretary Stuart Andrew said tariffs 'could have a significant impact on the UK's world-renowned film industry'. He added: 'The Labour Government must get a grip now, work with our American allies to secure a trade deal with the USA, and take decisive action to strengthen and protect the UK film industry, otherwise we risk seeing long-term damage to a sector that is a global success.' US film and television production has been hampered in recent years, with setbacks from the Covid pandemic, the Hollywood guild strikes of 2023 and the recent wildfires in the Los Angeles area. The UK film industry has also faced setbacks from the pandemic and the US strikes. Last year, the Government introduced the Independent Film Tax Credit, which allows productions costing up to £15 million to benefit from an increased tax relief of 53%. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said it would help to 'sustain a world-leading industry here in the UK'.
The Herald Scotland
05-05-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Trump's tariffs on non-US movies would be ‘a knock-out blow' to UK film industry
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. '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. '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.' Culture, Media and Sport (CMS) Committee chairwoman Dame Caroline Dinenage said members warned 'against complacency on our status as the Hollywood of Europe' in their report on British film and high-end TV, published last month. 'President Trump's announcement has made that warning all too real,' she added. US 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 @philippachilds — Bectu (@bectu) May 5, 2025 'Making it more difficult to make films in the UK is not in the interests of American businesses. Their investment in facilities and talent in the UK, based on US-owned IP (intellectual property), is showing fantastic returns on both sides of the Atlantic. Ministers must urgently prioritise this as part of the trade negotiations currently under way. 'At the same time, the Government's forthcoming Creative Industries Sector Plan needs to meet the challenge we set down of incentivising inward investment while also growing our domestic sector so British film and high-end TV can thrive.' The committee's report said the UK's film and high-end television industry is 'dominated' by inward investment from US studios and that this 'brings significant economic and social benefits to the UK'. Mr Trump's latest announcement is part of an ongoing trade war after he placed tariffs of up to 145% on Chinese goods. Tariffs are taxes charged on goods imported from other countries. It is not clear how a tariff on international productions could be implemented. US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer met in February (Carl Court/PA) Many films are shot across numerous countries, including the US and UK. Shadow culture secretary Stuart Andrew said tariffs 'could have a significant impact on the UK's world-renowned film industry'. He added: 'The Labour Government must get a grip now, work with our American allies to secure a trade deal with the USA, and take decisive action to strengthen and protect the UK film industry, otherwise we risk seeing long-term damage to a sector that is a global success.' US film and television production has been hampered in recent years, with setbacks from the Covid pandemic, the Hollywood guild strikes of 2023 and the recent wildfires in the Los Angeles area. The UK film industry has also faced setbacks from the pandemic and the US strikes. Last year, the Government introduced the Independent Film Tax Credit, which allows productions costing up to £15 million to benefit from an increased tax relief of 53%. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said it would help to 'sustain a world-leading industry here in the UK'.
