The actor, Informal ambassador of the president in Hollywood, assures that he inspired the idea of customs duties of 100%. The White House specifies that nothing is decided.
These informal ambassadors have shone by their silence since the arrival of the Magan Mouvement leader at the White House. Until Jon Voight claims the paternity of one of Donald Trump’s last projects: imposing customs duties of 100% on films in the United States produced abroad. “We have to do something, and it’s been a long time since we should have acts”, reveals the actor in an interview with Variety , Thursday, May 8. “I think we have a good plan, and this is only the beginning”, affirms the actor of Macadam Cowboy. The objective of this project announced last week by Donald Trump is to do “Relive American cinema that is dying”.
Jon Voight and Donald Trump met for the first time in the late 1970s. The two became friends thanks to their common passion for cinema. But also by their political ideals, the 86 -year -old American actor who supported the politician in 2016 then in 2024. This earned him the opportunity to be chosen in January by the Republican President to be symbolically his “Eyes and ears” In Hollywood alongside Sylvester Stallone and Mel Gibson. Their mission? Monitor the American film industry, which has a lot of support for Democrats.
The observation is a bit surprising while American productions continue to flood the world and the North American market, very little open to foreign productions, remains the world’s first. But more and more American studios organize their shooting internationally, mainly in Canada, the United Kingdom and Europe, because they benefit from production costs, lower taxes or even production aids.
“No decision has been made”
Intolerable for Jon Voight who explains to Variety to work “Very hard” With his team made up of a few producers to offer a bill capable of best satisfying professionals in the business. “We are ready to listen to everyone”, he says, explaining that he had received “Many positive responses” Since this announcement.
According to Varietyseveral American, Canadian and even British productions companies have anonymously expressed their fears. This decision could for example force them to reduce the production and the number of films offered in American cinemas or even force them to increase the cost of feature films.
But for Jon Voight, this project is mainly criticized due to the involvement of the Republican president. “I think it was treated unfairly. Me too, by the way. I mean, there have been tensions, of course, but it’s time to turn the page. And I must say that, in all our discussions on the fight against the relocation of productions, politics has never been addressed. Never. »» « Donald Trump love Hollywood and cares about the state of American cinema, he adds. We got to a point where we really need help. We cannot let it all go down. »»
The only downside in John Voight’s plan to “save Hollywood”: the foreign films tax project is still in the draft state. “” No decision has been made ” et “The administration explores all options”, said a White House spokesperson. Caution is all the more of a stake as the previous announcements of Donald Trump on the increases in customs barriers on goods and the trade war engaged with the rest of the world by the United States are increasingly criticized in Washington, including the support of the American president.