China reduces American films screening in response to Trump’s tariff

China has announced a substantial reduction in the number of American films shown in its territory, in direct response to the new tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump.

The measure was released on Thursday, 10, by a spokesman for China Film Authority, the body responsible for regulating the audiovisual sector in the country, and reflected by the Chinese state news agency. The information was initially reported by CNN Brazil.

China Film Authority spokesman has stated that US tariffs will impact American films on the Chinese market.

“Washington’s fares of China will inevitably reduce the appeal of American films to the Chinese audiences,” said the official representative.

In addition, the authority stressed that the decision to reduce film screenings will be based on “market principles” and local public preferences.

“We will follow the market rules, respect the public choice and properly reduce the number of imports from American films,” he concluded.

This action is part of a series of retaliation adopted by China after increasing 125% rates on Chinese products, a significant climbing in the trade war between the two largest economies in the world.

In response, China has imposed 84% rates on American products, as well as more severe measures such as the inclusion of 12 US companies on a list of commercial restrictions, and the addition of six to a list of entities considered “unconvable”.

Despite this intensification of commercial tensions, the Chinese government emphasized that its commitment to opening the audiovisual market remains unchanged.

“We always adhere to a high level of opening to the outside world and we will present more excellent films in the world to meet market demand,” said the spokesman, indicating that the reduction in the screening of American films does not reflect a change in the Chinese market opening policy, but an adaptation to political and commercial circumstances.

Reducing American film screenings can have significant impacts on both the US and Chinese market.

The audiovisual sector is one of the leading cultural export channels of the United States, and China, with its huge consumer market, represents one of the most profitable destinations for Hollywood films.

The measure can affect the box office revenue of major productions, such as Hollywood blockbusters, as well as reducing opportunities for US companies in the Chinese entertainment market.

This movement is part of a broader standard of economic retaliation between the two countries. The trade war between the United States and China has lasted several years, with each country adopting tariffs and commercial restrictions on the other’s products.

The measure related to films reflects the complexity of trade relations between the two powers, which have impacts not only on economies, but also on cultural and industrial sectors.

The US film industry, especially Hollywood, has been concerned about the consequences of Trump’s trade policies. In response to tensions, several US productions have faced challenges to display in China, which is an increasingly important market for global film profitability.

The Chinese measure is seen as a response to the increase in US tariffs, which directly affects Chinese products, but also has repercussions on the commercial interests of both countries in various sectors.

China’s retaliation also highlights the difficulties that US companies face to operate in international markets, especially when trade policies and diplomatic relations are in constant flows.

The decision to reduce American films screening can be seen as Beijing’s attempt to press Washington to reconsider his approach to commercial negotiations and to signal that the cultural sector can also be a field of commercial war dispute.

While business relations between the two countries continue to evolve, the Chinese measure serves as a reminder of the complex interactions between politics, trade and culture, and the effects that economic decisions can have on global industries.