Donald Trump said at a recent press conference that James Bond movies will not be impacted by his proposal to put tariffs on movies made overseas. The 007 franchise calls England its home and often films at the country’s famed Pinewood Studios, as well as in cities all over the globe. Trump confused Hollywood this month after saying he had authorized the U.S. Trade Representative and the Commerce Department to initiate steps to impose a 100% tariff on films made overseas.
“As you know, we’re putting tariffs on… film, the moviemakers,” Trump said when asked by The London Times at a press conference about the tariff plan. “And we’re going to be doing some tariffs to get them, because a lot of them have left this country. They all live here, the money comes from here, everything comes from here, but they make them in other countries. So, we’re gonna do something to bring them back, maybe to a large extent.”
“But James Bond has nothing to worry about, that I can tell you,” Trump added. “And you know, Sean Connery was a friend of mine. Sean Connery was responsible for my getting zoning in Aberdeen. He said, ‘Let the bloody bloke build his golf courses.’ I was like four years into the process, and it was impossible in Aberdeen… He was a great guy, Sean Connery.”
Amid confusion over Trump’s initial announcement, the White House issued a statement saying “no final decisions” have been made yet on putting a tariff on movies. A spokesperson added: “The Administration is exploring all options to deliver on President Trump’s directive to safeguard our country’s national and economic security while Making Hollywood Great Again.”
Jon Voight and his producing partner, Steven Paul, revealed after Trump’s announcement they had submitted to him a “comprehensive” plan in an attempt to rescue the entertainment industry. The plan includes federal incentives for production and post-production, co-production treaties with foreign countries as well as infrastructure subsidies for theater owners.
Hollywood names were quick to criticize Trump for even thinking about placing a tariff on movies. “The View” host Whoopi Goldberg told Trump not to meddle with Hollywood, adding: “Look, could you please lower the price of eggs before you start this?”
“Who are you going to put this tariff on?” Goldberg asked. “The production? The studio? What are you talking about?… It is part of what we do. Please stop. The bottom line is tax incentives. If you want to change, you have to change it in the States and make it available for people to shoot here. Don’t stop us from going over and shooting overseas, because then you’re limiting us.”
Watch a clip from Trump’s press conference in the video below.
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