PM ‘hasn’t given any thought’ to Trump film tariff threat

Monday, 5 May 2025

Luxon was asked about Trump’s comments at a post Cabinet press conference.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon “has not given any thought to” comments from US president Donald Trump that he intends to impose a 100% tariff on foreign films.

Luxon was at a post-Cabinet press conference, his first in several weeks following a three week recess.

Trump this afternoon posted on social media he intended to impose a tariff on films “produced in foreign lands”. “The Movie Industry in America is DYING a very fast death,” he wrote. “Hollywood, and many other areas within the USA, are being devastated”.

“We haven’t given any thought to it,” Luxon said, saying he had only just seen the post. However, 'We have got a world class industry and [New Zealand] is the best place to make movies in, period, in the world.

“We’ll have to see the detail of what actually ultimately emerges.”

Luxon is joined by Trade Minister Todd McClay who said they needed more detail before they could comment: “We're not yet sure how it will be put in place, whether it’s complete films, parts of film, [or] technology to add to films,” said McClay.

They could respond, “once we get more information”.

Meanwhile, McClay has confirmed the first in-person round of negotiations towards a Free Trade Agreement with India will begin this week, in India.

The agreement has been in the Coalition Government’s sights since it took office - previous successive governments have made attempts at a FTA - and comes off the back of the formal launch of negotiations by McClay and Indian Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal during the prime minister’s trade mission to New Delhi in April.

Todd McClay with Indian Trade Minister Piyush Goyal.

“This is an important step in our trade relationship with India and signals the two Governments’ intent to deliver a high quality outcome that benefits both countries,” McClay said.

McClay also noted it had been one year since the New Zealand–European Union Trade Agreement, removing 91% of duties on NZ exports, came into force, saying Kiwi goods exports to the EU had increased by 28% during the first year, from $3.8 billion to over $4.8 billion.

On Sunday the Government announced it would spend $2b on new maritime helicopters for Defence.

The spend was detailed after Luxon’s trip to the United Kingdom in April, where he met Kiwi soldiers who are helping train Ukrainian soldiers.