(Adnkronos) – The trade war between the United States and China is also moving to the big screen. In response to the new tariffs imposed by Donald Trump, Beijing has announced an imminent reduction in the number of American films allowed in Chinese theaters. A symbolic measure, but one that could have serious economic consequences for the US film industry, which for years has considered China one of the most profitable markets in the world. The South China Morning Post reports.
“The erroneous practice of the US government, which imposes excessive tariffs on China, risks further diminishing the favorable perception that the Chinese public has of American films – said the Chinese Film Administration – We will adhere to market principles, we will respect the choices of the public and we will moderately reduce the volume of imports of US films”.
An announcement that sounds like a direct retaliation to the latest moves by President Trump, who has brought tariffs on Chinese products to a total of 125%. The Chinese authorities do not specify how much the number of films will be reduced, but it is clear that the message is addressed to Washington and the Hollywood majors.
Since 2002, China has allowed the entry into its market of 34 American blockbusters per year with revenue-sharing agreements, based on an agreement reached after the country’s entry into the World Trade Organization. Already in 2001, in fact, Beijing undertook to open up the domestic market to international capital and cultural products. With this squeeze, the Chinese government is hitting a symbolic sector of the United States, which in recent decades has played a key role in the global spread of American culture.
