US President Donald Trump, following his earlier tariff threats, unveiled new actions targeting both the entertainment and furniture sectors.
He announced plans to impose "a 100% Tariff on any and all movies that are made outside of the United States" and "substantial tariffs on any country that does not make its furniture in the United States."
In a Truth Social post, President Trump asserted the "movie making business" in the US had been stolen by other nations "like candy from a baby."
"California, which has a weak and incompetent Governor, has been especially devastated! So, to fix this long time, never ending issue, I will be putting a 100% Tariff on any and all films which are made outside the United States," he declared.
Shortly after, Trump added, "To make North Carolina, which has lost all of its furniture industry to China, and other Countries, GREAT again, I will be putting on big Tariffs on any Country that does not make its furniture in the United States."
He further stated, "Details to follow."
Hollywood, America's venerable movie icon, has been faring poorly as streaming sees theatre-goers dwindle. Decreasing box office revenues triggered production slashes, and labor strikes by the Writers Guild and other unions in 2023 and 2024 incurred further losses. The estimated financial loss in 2023 alone was $5 billion, and working hours lost during the strikes have been said to remain yet to bounce back.
In August, Trump said his administration had begun an investigation into all imported furniture. "Within 50 days, that investigation will be finished, and furniture from other countries entering the United States will be tariffed at a number that's yet to be determined. This will bring the furniture industry back to North Carolina, South Carolina, Michigan and states all over the Union," he wrote.
Thursday, he introduced a new round of tariffs on certain products such as kitchen cabinets and furniture, set to be imposed as of October 1. "We will be placing a 50% Tariff on all Kitchen Cabinets, Bathroom Vanities, and related products, effective October 1st, 2025. We will also be placing a 30% Tariff on Upholstered Furniture," he posted on Truth Social.
According to Reuters, US furniture and wood product manufacturing jobs are down by half since 2000. In 2024, the nation imported furniture worth approximately $25.5 billion, with more than half of it originating from Vietnam and China.
These new tariffs are to increase costs for businesses, making it more difficult to maintain low prices. As Reuters reports, increasing import duties, commodity prices, and supply chain issues have already pushed up prices on products from apparel to electronics.
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