UK in talks with US officials over movie tariffs, says minister

by Reuters May 07, 2025

Britain is in "active discussions" with top U.S. officials over the 100% tariff on all movies produced outside the U.S. announced by President Donald Trump, as it aims to protect one of its biggest creative industries.

"We are already in active discussions with the top of the U.S. administration on this subject. We are working hard to establish what might be proposed, if anything, and to make sure our world-beating creative industries are protected," creative industries minister Chris Bryant told parliament on Wednesday.

A person jet-skis nearby as cargo is loaded onto the container ship MH Perseus, following its arrival from New Orleans, U.S., at the Port of Southampton, Southampton, Britain, April 3, 2025. REUTERS/Toby Melville

Bryant noted that Trump had not given any details about his proposal, adding that it was not clear how tariffs could be applied to the film industry, with productions often created and developed across different locations and countries.

The entertainment industry was left flummoxed on Monday by Trump's announcement of tariffs, with executives questioning both the timing of the proposed levy and how it could be enforced.

Britain has a leading film and TV production industry, centred on studios located close to London.

Production spending on films in Britain in 2024 totalled $5.91 billion, according to ProdPro, compared with $14.54 billion in the United States