Image: Bluey's World (left), Kevin Rudd at the Milken Institute in LA (right)
Australian ambassador Kevin Rudd has taken aim at the recent announcement from US President Donald Trump to implement 100 per cent Tariffs on all films produced outside of America while at an annual forum in Los Angeles.
The former Prime Minister, spoke against President Trump’s proposed tariff on foreign-made films, while referring to popular ABC children’s program, Bluey
“I don’t think we want to see a tax on Bluey,” Rudd said.
Don’t Tax Bluey, Former PM Kevin Rudd Says
“What happens if we all lock down our countries with competitive, punitive arrangements against each other’s movies? Movies are the way in which we kind of understand each other more. So I’d be all for opening this up,” Rudd said, speaking at a Milken Institute event in LA.
The Milken Institute Global Conference sees individuals with the “capital and influence to drive change with experts and innovators, transforming health, finance, business, technology, philanthropy, industry and society”. This year’s annual forum marked its 28th year, and took place from May 4-7, inviting attendees to connect with world leaders.
President Trump’s proposed tariff scheme has sparked widespread criticism from around the world, with concerns ranging from financial losses in foreign film industries and reduced market access, to fears of retaliatory tariffs and long-term consequences for the global film market.
Kevin Rudd calls Trump’s Proposed Film Tariffs ‘Punitive’
“What happens if we all lock down our countries with competitive, punitive arrangements against each other’s movies?” Rudd asked at the Milken Institute event.
“Movies are the way in which we kind of understand each other more. So I’d be all for opening this up.
President Trump claimed in a social media post that the “Movie Industry in America is DYING a very fast death”.
“Other Countries are offering all sorts of incentives to draw our filmmakers and studios away from the United States. Hollywood, and many other areas within the U.S.A., are being devastated. This is a concerted effort by other Nations and, therefore, a National Security threat. It is, in addition to everything else, messaging and propaganda! Therefore, I am authorising the Department of Commerce, and the United States Trade Representative, to immediately begin the process of instituting a 100% Tariff on any and all Movies coming into our Country that are produced in Foreign Lands. WE WANT MOVIES MADE IN AMERICA, AGAIN!”, the US President shared to Truth Social.
The details of how the tariffs would be implemented remained unclear, especially considering the global nature of film production and content distribution across movies and streaming services.
Rudd has previously referred to the President as a “traitor to the west”, in a now-deleted tweet.
Chris Minns Calls Trump Tariffs a ‘Terrible Decision’
NSW Premier Chris Minns weighed in on the proposed film tariffs, calling these actions of the US Government “not those of a friend”.
“I think it’s a terrible decision from the United States government. One of the things we have to look out for is ensuring that the industry stays afloat, that we continue to tell Australian stories… I don’t know how long Trump’s going to be around, I don’t know how long common sense will be suspended in America but if the industry collapses in the meantime it’s very hard to resurrect it from scratch,” Premier Minns said at a press conference on Wednesday.
Dr Thomas Jreige, CEO of Shimazaki Sentinel, a risk information security firm echoed Minn’s statement, describing Australia’s screen industry as “more than a service provider”, calling it a “creative powerhouse, a jobs engine, and a cultural ambassador”.
“Trump’s tariffs don’t just threaten economics: they undermine decades of global creative collaboration and trust. NSW stepping up is leadership in action. We can’t let protectionism crush artistry or livelihoods. What does it say about diplomacy when art becomes the battlefield?”
Following uproar over the president’s tariff post, the White House recanted Trump’s announcement, saying that “no final decisions on foreign film tariffs have been made”.
“Either this administration will pass, or common sense will prevail”, Premier Minns said of the tariffs.
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