Trump tariffs could threaten Hollywood production, box office recovery [Video]

LOS ANGELES — President Donald Trump picked a fight with Hollywood’s best friend.

Known as Hollywood North, Canada has been a bustling production hub for American film and television series for decades. In addition to offering an enticing tax credit for stateside studios, the country has developed a top-notch workforce of industry talent in front of and behind the camera.

Trump’s proposed import tariffs on Canadian goods could threaten that relationship, Hollywood insiders told CNBC.

Some fear that a trade war with Canada could cause the U.S.’ northern neighbor to retaliate in ways that would hurt film production, potentially rescinding those sought-after tax credits or closing stages to U.S. studios altogether. Others believe the relationship between Hollywood and Canada is strong enough, and lucrative enough, to withstand Trump’s levies.

“No one — on either side of the border — wants to see American tariffs on Canadian goods,” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wrote on social media site X on Friday, promising a “forceful …