China cuts Hollywood imports — Trump just laughs it off.
The trade war between the U.S. and China just took a cinematic turn. China announced it's slashing the number of American movies hitting Chinese theaters. And Donald Trump's reaction? He doesn't seem to care much.
Why China Is Pulling Back On US Films?
China's film regulator dropped the news on April 10, calling it a market-driven adjustment. But the timing speaks volumes. It follows Donald Trump’s decision to raise taxes on Chinese imports to a massive 125%. In response, China introduced 84% taxes on U.S. products. Now, Hollywood is caught in the middle of an escalating trade war. The Chinese box office, once a goldmine for American studios, is quickly becoming hostile territory.
Why This Actually Hurts Hollywood
This move could seriously hurt Hollywood. China’s box office is worth $7.6 billion, second only to North America, and access for U.S. films is shrinking. From over 60 releases in 2018 to just 34 last year. Meanwhile, local hits like Ne Zha 2 (with $2.11 billion revenue) suggest China may no longer needs Hollywood to fill seats.
Trump's Reaction
When asked about China’s move to limit American films, Trump responded with a smirk and a classic shrug: “I think I’ve heard worse things.” It was the kind of offhand comment that says a lot without saying much at all. While Hollywood studios are panicking over what this could mean for major releases like Mission: Impossible or Superman, Trump made it clear he couldn’t care less. His reaction, a mix of amusement and total indifference, signals that he doesn't see Hollywood’s concern.
"China retaliated today by reducing the number of American films that can be shown there. What's your reaction to them now targeting cultural exports?"@POTUS: "I've heard of worse things." pic.twitter.com/zpseCdDXEX
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 10, 2025
Trade wars are messy, and now even movies aren’t safe. Will China’s cutback actually hurt Hollywood? I guess we'll have to find out.
How do you think this will play out? Let us know in the comments!