President Donald Trump’s latest plan to slap tariffs on imported films has sent shockwaves through the global entertainment industry.
In response, a coalition of over 100 film and television organizations from around the world has issued an urgent open letter urging global governments and European Union institutions to take a stand. Their message? Trump’s film import tariffs threaten cultural diversity, artistic freedom, and the very survival of the independent screen industry.
The open letter, unveiled on May 12, just one day before the Cannes Film Festival kicked off, is titled Our Stories, Our Voices: A Global Declaration for Artistic Freedom, Cultural Diversity and Cultural Sovereignty. It’s a direct response to Trump’s ongoing pressure on international cultural policies and his announcement to tax foreign film imports. At 78, Trump is still wielding his political clout, and the indie film world isn’t having it.
Signed by groups from five continents, including the European Producers Club, Irish Equity, South Africa’s Independent Directors Association, and Canada’s francophone producers’ alliance, the declaration paints a bleak picture. “We are witnessing increasingly aggressive attempts by powerful political and corporate actors to dismantle the regulatory protections that ensure the diversity and accessibility of cultural expression,” the letter warns.
At the center of the controversy is the fear that Trump’s proposed film import tariffs could completely reshape the global content economy, most of which relies heavily on cross-border collaboration and trade protections. Independent filmmakers argue that these protections aren’t just financial, they’re cultural lifelines. They allow unique, local voices to thrive alongside Hollywood giants.
Trump’s plan isn’t just ruffling feathers in indie circles either. It’s emboldening U.S. film studios to push back against existing EU rules, especially the Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMS). That policy forces international streaming platforms like Netflix and Disney+ to reinvest a percentage of their revenue back into local European content. The Motion Picture Association, representing all the big players, Disney, Netflix, Amazon, Warner Bros., and more, already sent a memo to the U.S. Trade Representative earlier this year calling those rules “disproportionate.” That memo was sent in March, even before Trump announced his tariff strategy.
The global coalition says this is just part of a bigger picture. From screen quotas in Asia to content requirements in Canada and Australia, independent creators feel they’re under siege. “This includes direct challenges to essential protections,” the letter reads, pointing out that without these policies, independent stories risk getting buried under blockbuster franchises and billion-dollar streamers.
They’re not pulling any punches either. The letter clearly states that industry bodies “firmly oppose any political, legal, or economic initiative that seeks to undermine national or international rules designed to uphold artistic freedom and cultural diversity.” Basically, if your plan involves crushing the little guys and flooding screens with homogenized content, they want no part of it.
The plea to world leaders is loud and clear, don’t fold under pressure. The coalition is demanding that policymakers “stand firm and safeguard the systems that support independent film and audiovisual creation so that culture, creativity, and democratic access to diverse stories for the screen can continue to flourish.”
Trump’s film import tariffs plan is turning into more than just a trade issue, it’s become a symbol of the struggle between massive global entertainment corporations and the smaller creative communities fighting to hold on to their identity. With Cannes now underway, this declaration is likely to be a hot topic, especially among those who see cinema as more than just content, it’s about stories, voices, and culture.
Leo Cruz brings sharp insights into the world of politics, offering balanced reporting and analysis on the latest policies, elections, and global political events. With years of experience covering campaigns and interviewing world leaders, Leo ensures readers are always informed and engaged.
