George Clooney Criticizes Trump’s 100% Film Tariff Threat, Urges Federal Tax Incentives

Actor and filmmaker George Clooney criticized President Donald Trump's threat to impose a 100% tariff on all films produced overseas, stating that tariffs are the wrong solution to the issue of Hollywood jobs leaving California. Clooney acknowledged Trump's point that film jobs are moving out of California but attributed this to the lack of competitive federal tax incentives similar to those offered by states like New York, Louisiana, and New Jersey. He urged that implementing federal incentives matching these states would be a more effective way to retain and bring back film industry jobs to the U.S. Clooney made these remarks ahead of the Albies awards ceremony, which he co-founded with his wife, Amal Clooney, to honor global human rights defenders. The Albies recognized figures such as Melinda French Gates, Marty Baron, Darren Walker, Fatou Baldeh, and José Rubén Zamora for their work in social justice and human rights. By connecting the discussion on film industry policies with the celebration of activism, Clooney highlighted the importance of smart economic strategies alongside global justice efforts.