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Author: VANAS Team

New Movie Tariffs Could Shake Things Up

What Did the US Administration Say About Foreign Films?
How This Affects Animation
Why Filmmakers Are Leaving the U.S.
What’s Happening in Hollywood?
How This Affects Teens Who Love Movies and Animation
Hollywood vs. Politics
What Other Countries Are Doing for Animation
Frequently Asked Questions

1. What Did US Administration Say About Foreign Films?

The US Administration made a big announcement on social media that got people in the movie world talking. They want to put a 100% tax (called a tariff) on any movie that’s made outside the U.S.

They believe that Hollywood is in trouble because more and more filmmakers are choosing to shoot their movies in other countries. They thinks this is hurting the U.S. film industry and called it a “national security threat.”

The US Administration wants to bring movie production back to America and says this tax will help. They didn’t say how it would work exactly, or if it would include TV shows or streaming content, but the idea already has people worried—especially those in the animation industry.

2. How This Affects Animation

Animation isn’t just about drawing cartoons anymore. It’s a huge part of movies, video games, and streaming shows. And guess what? A lot of animation work is done outside the U.S.

Here are some places where big animation projects are made:

Canada (especially Vancouver and Toronto)
South Korea (a major partner for American studios)
Japan (anime, of course!)
India (growing fast in 3D animation)
France and Australia

American studios like Disney, DreamWorks, and Netflix Animation often work with artists in these countries. Why? It’s less cost, the talent is amazing, and some countries offer tax breaks that help save money.

If this new tariff happens, American studios may have to pay a lot more to release movies made overseas. That could mean:

Fewer animated movies
Higher costs to make films
Job cuts for international artists
Less collaboration between countries

Animation is all about teamwork, and this kind of rule could break up that teamwork.

3. Why Filmmakers Are Leaving the U.S.

You might be wondering, “Why are so many movies being made outside the U.S. anyway?”

The answer is simple: costs and benefits.

Other countries offer special tax deals, lower costs, and amazing locations. For example:

Toronto and Vancouver in Canada have big film studios and great tax incentives.
Britain has skilled crews and beautiful scenery.
Central Europe offers both history and lower prices.
Australia is known for its wide open landscapes and film support.

According to a report from a company called ProdPro, in 2025 and 2026, the top five places movie studios want to film are:

Toronto
Britain
Vancouver
Central Europe
Australia

California, the heart of Hollywood, was ranked sixth!

4. What’s Happening in Hollywood?

Hollywood has been struggling in recent years. Here’s why:

COVID-19 changed everything — People started watching more movies at home instead of in theaters.
Hollywood strikes — Writers and actors went on strike, shutting down production.
Streaming services — Netflix, Disney+, and others are changing how we watch content.
Less money — The U.S. spent $14.5 billion on film production recently, which is a big drop (down 26%) from just two years ago.

Still, Hollywood is powerful. It created more than 2.3 million jobs and made $279 billion in sales in 2022, according to the Motion Picture Association.

But the fight to stay on top is getting harder.

5. How This Affects Teens Who Love Movies and Animation

If you're someone who dreams of working in animation or making movies, this news might feel a little scary. But here’s the deal:

Animation is global. It’s made by creative people in every part of the world, including students just like you.

If these tariffs become real, here’s how it could affect you:

Harder to get internships in big studios if budgets shrink
Fewer animated movies being made could mean fewer job opportunities
More focus on American-made content might help local jobs but limit international teamwork

The good news? Animation is not going away. In fact, it’s growing fast in video games, online content, and virtual reality. And there are schools that teach you how to be part of this exciting world.

6. Hollywood vs. Politics

Hollywood and politics have never exactly been best friends. In fact, most actors and artists tend to support Democrats, not Republicans.

For example:

Taylor Swift
George Clooney
Zendaya
Ariana Grande
Leonardo DiCaprio

These stars supported Kamala Harris in the 2024 election.

The US Administration, on the other hand, has their own celebrity team. Before he took office in January, they named Sylvester Stallone, Mel Gibson, and Jon Voight as special advisors to help "save Hollywood."

Whether you agree with them or not, the US Administration’s idea could shake up how movies are made, shared, and sold.

7. What Other Countries Are Doing for Animation

Animation is a global art form, and many countries are supporting it with love (and money!). Here’s what other places are doing:

Canada: Offers tax credits for animation studios and helps pay for training.
Japan: Invests heavily in anime studios and exports shows all over the world.
France: Runs famous animation schools like Gobelins and supports creators with grants.
South Korea: Has become a hub for 2D animation and works closely with the U.S.

If the U.S. starts charging a 100% tariff on these creations, it could mean fewer international projects get shown in America—or they might cost way more to watch.

8. Frequently Asked Questions

What is a tariff?

It’s a tax that countries charge on things that are imported from other places—like movies made in a different country.

Why does US Administration want this tariff?

They say they want more movies to be made in the U.S. and believes too many filmmakers are leaving for better deals elsewhere.

Will this affect animation?

Yes, possibly in a big way. Many animated films and shows are made partly or entirely outside of the U.S.

Does this mean fewer movies for us?

It could. If studios have to pay more, they may make fewer movies—or cut corners on quality.

Is Hollywood really in trouble?

It’s going through a tough time, but it’s still strong. It’s just changing fast because of streaming, strikes, and competition from other countries.

Can I still work in animation?

Absolutely! Animation is everywhere—from YouTube to video games to VR. You just need the right training and passion.