Donald Trump’s plans to impose tariffs on foreign-shot films won’t apply to James Bond, according to comments made by the president.
Earlier this week, Trump shared a bombshell announcement when he declared that he will be authorising 100 per cent tariffs on films made outside of the US.
He wrote on social media at the time: “The Movie Industry in America is DYING a very fast death. Other Countries are offering all sorts of incentives to draw our filmmakers and studios away from the United States. Hollywood, and many other areas within the U.S.A., are being devastated. This is a concerted effort by other Nations and, therefore, a National Security threat. It is, in addition to everything else, messaging and propaganda!”
However, it would appear that the tariffs won't apply to 007 and the James Bond franchise.
During a press conference on Thursday (8 May) to discuss a trade deal with the UK that will slash tariffs on British goods, Trump doubled-down on his plans.
“As you know, we’re putting tariffs on… film, the moviemakers,” Trump said. “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.”
However, he seemed to assure that the James Bond franchise will be safe – in large part due to Trump’s connection to Sean Connery.
“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.
Quite how Trump’s tariffs will work is unclear, as is whether these measures will apply to US productions that are partially filmed overseas. However, Trump’s statements continue to wreak havoc and stir confusion.
Trump’s James Bond comments come as the 007 franchise is being rebooted.
Amy Pascal and David Heyman will produce the next Bond film and Amazon MGM’s Courtenay Valenti and Sue Kroll said at CinemaCon in April that the pair of “filmmaking legends” is working on the film.
“We are committed to honoring the legacy of this iconic character, while bringing a fresh, exhilarating new chapter to audiences around the world alongside Amy and David,” said Valenti. “They are both in London getting started and couldn’t be here tonight, but we wanted to thank them for what we know will be an incredible partnership.”
Meanwhile, the search for the next actor to play (a tariff exempt) James Bond continues.
