Trump film trade war looms over Cannes

 The Cannes Film Festival continued under a cloud of uncertainty following U.S. President Donald Trump’s May 5 proposal for 100-percent tariffs on films produced outside the United States. The announcement raised concerns across the international film community about potential disruptions to cross-border trade.

Katie Patton Pryor, co-founder, Film USA said  "I think a lot of people are holding their breath to see how Cannes goes, to be very honest. I think that is where we are right now. They want to see what the appetite is, where this is going to go. But right now, things in US politics are moving faster than they've ever done before, so I don't think we'll have to wait a very long time before we see where this is going."

Market activity reflected a more cautious mood, with fewer buyers reported on the ground. Industry participants cited the proposed tariffs as a key factor. China, with close ties to the U.S. market, expected a direct impact on its film exports. As Cannes unfolded, trade policy remained a central concern in an otherwise business-driven festival.