Hollywood Relief or Political Pressure Trump Pushes Low-Interest Bonds and Tariffs

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President Trump is renewing his criticism of films shot outside the United States, and reiterating his intention to impose penalties on productions that film overseas. He discussed this in a recent interview with the new publication, California Post, on January 26th.

So, the President is still planning those big taxes on foreign films, which is a bummer. But here’s the interesting part – he’s also throwing a bone to Hollywood. He’s talking about offering really good deals on bonds – basically, low-interest loans – if filmmakers decide to shoot their movies here in the States. It’s like he’s saying, ‘I’m gonna hit you with a stick, but here’s a carrot too!’ It’s a pretty clear attempt to bring more film production back home.

I was really encouraged to hear the President speak about the bond proposal. He didn’t get into all the details, but his main priority came through loud and clear: he wants to revitalize the movie industry right here in Los Angeles. That’s something I, and so many others, are really excited about!

Offering federal loans is a new approach, differing from the usual tax credits preferred by industry groups and companies. These groups have recently been pushing for rebates, like those used in the U.K. and Canada, instead.

The President’s statements have worried people in the entertainment industry before, especially when he first proposed a 100% tax on movies made outside the US on his social media platform in May 2025. He claimed the American film industry was failing because of production moving overseas. Though some filmmakers were initially alarmed, many experienced professionals now dismiss these threats as empty promises, with one producer calling them simply more of the same bluster.

Former President Trump’s interest in supporting the film industry began with a partnership with actor Jon Voight, who was named a special advisor to Hollywood early in his presidency. Voight, working with producers Steven Paul and Scott Karol, created a detailed plan offering federal financial benefits like tax breaks and incentives. On Monday, Trump announced his intention to implement tariffs and offer low-interest bonds to help revitalize the movie industry, stating, “We’ll bring it back.”

This proposal arrives as competition for film and television production funding increases. California Governor Gavin Newsom recently increased the state’s tax credit to $750 million, and federal lawmakers like Senator Adam Schiff are advocating for incentives based on labor costs. The Motion Picture Association hasn’t yet responded to the idea of using bonds to fund productions, but unions have expressed a preference for direct tax breaks rather than a loan system.

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2026-01-27 22:45