Whoopi Goldberg is telling Donald Trump to “please stop” when it comes to Hollywood and movie tariffs. Trump caused shock and confusion in the film and TV industries this week by writing on social media that he had authorized the U.S. Trade Representative and the Commerce Department to initiate steps to impose a 100% tariff on films made overseas.
“Okay, look, you can’t do that,” Goldberg fired back on “The View” (via EW). “What that equates to is, you’re going to tell me how to write the story I want to write if it happens in Europe? Look, could you please lower the price of eggs before you start this?”
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“When you go over to another country to work, you work with the people who are there,” the EGOT winner continued. “We don’t import our folks to go over there. Who are you going to put this tariff on? The production? The studio? What are you talking about?… It is part of what we do. Please stop. The bottom line is tax incentives. If you want to change, you have to change it in the states and make it available for people to shoot here. Don’t stop us from going over and shooting overseas, because then you’re limiting us.”
“And also, not for nothing. The movies teach people English,” Goldberg concluded. “We teach people who will never get to America, what America is all about. We show them who we are. If you impose a tax like this, you’re saying that we’re not good enough, and that’s not the case. We’re the best in the world.”
Amid confusion over Trump’s announcement, the White House issued a statement saying “no final decisions” have been made yet on the matter. A spokesperson added: “The Administration is exploring all options to deliver on President Trump’s directive to safeguard our country’s national and economic security while Making Hollywood Great Again.”
Jon Voight and his producing partner, Steven Paul, revealed after Trump’s announcement that they had submitted a “comprehensive” plan to him in an attempt to rescue the entertainment industry. As reported by Variety: “The plan includes federal incentives for production and post-production, co-production treaties with foreign countries as well as infrastructure subsidies for theater owners and production companies, job training, and changes to the tax code. The plan also calls for tariffs in ‘certain limited circumstances.’”
“The President loves the entertainment business and this country, and he will help us make Hollywood great again,” Voight said in a statement.
Voight is one of three “special ambassadors” appointed by Trump to address Hollywood issues, along with Sylvester Stallone and Mel Gibson.
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