Trump announces 100% tariff on foreign-made movies: What it could mean for Croatia

(Photo: The White House/Public Domain/Pexels)

US President Donald Trump has reignited debate over international film production after announcing plans today to impose a 100% tariff on all movies made outside the United States.

Writing on his Truth Social platform, Trump claimed that America’s film industry had been “stolen” by other countries, blaming foreign tax incentives for luring major productions abroad.

He declared that he would move to impose tariffs on overseas-made films, though he did not specify when or how such a policy would take effect.

The move is framed as an attempt to bring film production back to the United States.

However, it could have significant knock-on effects in countries like Croatia, which has built a strong reputation as a filming destination for international blockbusters.

Croatia’s Cinematic Rise

Croatia has steadily developed into one of Europe’s most sought-after filming locations, thanks to its striking landscapes, historic cities, and an attractive government-backed rebate programme for productions shot in less-developed regions.

Between 2012 and 2019, foreign productions brought in an estimated €134.3 million to Croatia, while film tourism tied to Game of Thrones alone added over €180 million between 2013 and 2018. Dubrovnik, Split, Šibenik and the island of Vis have all enjoyed global attention thanks to film and television.

Major American productions filmed in Croatia include Star Wars: The Last Jedi (Dubrovnik), Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (Vis), and Nicolas Cage’s The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent. HBO’s Succession and Game of Thrones further cemented Croatia’s place on the global filming map, helping boost tourism and the local economy.

If Trump’s tariff threat is carried through, U.S. distributors could face higher costs for releasing films made abroad – including those shot in Croatia.

This may deter Hollywood studios from filming overseas, potentially reducing opportunities for Croatia’s service providers, local crews, and supporting industries.

Beyond production, Croatia’s film tourism sector may also feel the effects if fewer high-profile titles are filmed in the country.

Locations that became international travel magnets thanks to Game of Thrones and other blockbusters could see less momentum in the years ahead.

For now, Trump’s proposal remains just that – a proposal. But industry insiders in Croatia and elsewhere will be watching closely, as changes in U.S. trade policy could reshape how, and where, the world’s biggest films are made.