“Transformers” film producer Mark Vahradian told CNN’s Jake Tapper on Monday that he does not believe that steep tariffs Donald Trump says he wants to introduce on movies that are not made in the United States is “the best way forward” for Hollywood. But he also said that it is “encouraging” that the “real economic struggle” of the US entertainment industry is recognized.
“It is encouraging for us to see President Trump acknowledging real economic fighters in the film and television industry, who have plagued us the last, you know, several years. We have had covid problems, we have had strike problems, we have had fire problems and every time we try to climb out of this hole that we are in, something new hands,” said. “So you know, the conversation about customs today was encouraging, in the sense that we put a spotlight on ourselves. But we do not necessarily believe that it is the best way forward.”
A few minutes later, Vahradian explained in detail why he thinks customs are probably not the right fit for Hollywood, first by discussing efforts to persuade california to become more competitive when it comes to attracting industry operations.
“This year, California sees to double their tax incentives, but … what we are looking for is the equivalent of which other countries are film -oriented, countries like the UK, et cetera, to match. We are looking to match what they do. They have federal incentives. They have state incentives. Australia is so good example.
“With that said, you know, customs are something that is a little more difficult for us, because we are not a car company, we are not steel. We do not, you do not, we do not work that way. We are intangible property. So you know, it is a little different when we make movies,” he added.
The problem is that film productions often shoot outside the United States for necessity or for artistic reasons, Vahradian continued. “We choose to do them abroad, often for the subject. And so you know it is a little harder for us to say that we have to do things here, because often part of our story is to shoot these things abroad.”
“So we are happy about the idea that we finally get some attention on this issue,” he continued. “We would not love more than making movies in the United States. It is, you know, we all want to sleep in our own beds. We all, you know, want to stay home and see our families. But you know, on the other hand, sometimes it is just not possible when it comes to the production requirements in the movie.”
See part of this conversation, which turns off just before Vahradian says “We don’t necessarily think it’s the best way forward” below: