China Considers U.S. Film Ban Over Tariffs?

China is reportedly considering a ban on Hollywood movies following U.S. President Trump’s indication yesterday that he will impose an additional 50% tariff on China if Beijing does not withdraw its retaliatory tariffs on the United States.

If he sticks to his plan, total U.S. duties on Chinese goods this year could rise to 104% by Wednesday. China has swiftly labelled the move ‘blackmail’ and reportedly is considering a slate of retaliatory measures according to both Bloomberg and The Daily Mail.

Those potential measures could reportedly include a reduction or outright ban on the import of American movies according to sources for at least two influential Chinese social media figures.

Though not the juggernaut they once were, U.S. films still managed to gross $585 million in China last year – around 3.5% of China’s $17.71 billion box office and among the largest share of foreign films.

Chinese authorities have absolute control over film distribution in the territory and such a ban could result in major revenue losses for Summer blockbusters like “Jurassic World: Rebirth,” “Superman” or “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning”.

Trump’s tariffs and trade war has already shaken many industries with cinephiles in particular concerned that events will only hasten the potential death of physical media as discs and the hardware to play them become more difficult and expensive to produce.

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