New Zealand government urged to speak ‘vigorously’ against Trump tariffs on movie sector

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) - Any US tariffs on the movie sector would be “disastrous” for New Zealand, the country’s opposition leader said Monday.

“I think a US tariff on the film and television industry would be disastrous for New Zealand. I think it is something the New Zealand government should speak vigorously against,” said Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins.

US President Donald Trump on Sunday announced a 100% tariff on all movies produced outside the country.

New Zealand and Australia have emerged as favorite destinations for Hollywood film producers.

New Zealand’s film sector generates $3.5 billion annually, with about one-third of the revenue coming from the US, the New Zealand Herald reported, citing data from the Foreign Ministry.

Trump said the movie industry in the US was dying "a very fast death.”

"Other countries are offering all sorts of incentives to draw our filmmakers and studios away from the United States," he added.

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said his country was the “best place to make movies” in the world.

“I just think it’s way too early -- let’s see the detail,” he told reporters about Trump’s proposed tariffs.

“We’ve advocated strongly that we don’t believe tariffs is the way to go forward. We continue to do that, but importantly, there are also swings and roundabouts and opportunities that come in that environment as well,” Luxon added.

Reacting to Trump’s move, Australia’s Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said: “Nobody should be under any doubt that we will be standing up unequivocally for the rights of the Australian screen industry.”

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns described Trump's tariffs as "short-sighted.”

"This is a bad decision for films and movies, whether they're made in Australia or the United States," Minns said, according to 9News.

On his so-called “liberation day,” Trump also announced a 10% tariff on imports from New Zealand and Australia -- the universal baseline rate for imports.