‘The Apprentice’ Producer Sees Trump’s Hollywood Tariffs as “Storytelling Tool” to Buttress Presidential Infallibility

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As a dedicated fan, I’d like to share a unique perspective: Producer Daniel Bekerman, known for his work on the iconic show The Apprentice featuring Donald Trump, seems to have a different outlook compared to many in the global entertainment industry. Amidst the uncertainty caused by President Trump’s proposal of a 100 percent tariff on foreign-made films, Bekerman appears unfazed, potentially suggesting resilience and adaptability in the face of adversity.

Bekerman perceives the film tariff as more of a narrative device used by Trump to sustain his persona as an unyielding deal-maker, continually on the offensive and defensive, rather than a conventional economic tool to revive jobs and movie production in Hollywood. As he expresses to The Hollywood Reporter, “Trump has found his turf when discussing film tariffs in the entertainment industry, because this is where his strengths lie.” In an environment bustling with stars, moguls, and directors equally proficient at weaving compelling narratives, Bekerman suggests that Trump’s skills are now being fully utilized.

As a gamer, I’d say: “Tariffs serve as a key plot device in Trump’s long-running game scenario, dating back to his encounter with Roy Cohn. This narrative revolves around the character of Donald Trump, and tariffs reinforce this story by suggesting, ‘See how I’m shielding you, and only I can tackle these issues. I’m the one who can help you, I’m the savior.'” He was adamant about this point.

In “The Apprentice,” helmed by Ali Abbasi, the renowned hitman lawyer character Cohn, portrayed by Jeremy Strong, imparts business and life success strategies to a novice Trump (Sebastian Stan). Meanwhile, Bekerman, maintaining his optimistic stance, suggests that Trump’s weekend discussion about a 100% film tariff could provide an opportunity for the volatile and ever-changing entertainment industry.

Bekerman contended that while the weekend’s announcement was unsettling, it’s something our industry is accustomed to navigating through. In fact, instability is a part of our expertise, and if this change were to take place, it would impact every region, including the U.S., but we’re well-equipped to handle such situations.

However, following Donald Trump’s discussion about movie tariffs, the broader Canadian film industry doesn’t seem as hopeful as Bekerman, considering the possible consequences of a substantial tax increase on foreign films in a more worldwide marketplace.

Canadas actor’s union, ACTRA, expressed concern over a proposed film tariff, stating it could negatively impact the countrys production sector. This sector is largely reliant on major Hollywood studios and streaming platforms filming original content nationwide, particularly in Toronto and British Columbia. The announcement of this potential new front in the U.S.-Canada trade dispute comes before President Trumps meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the White House on Tuesday.

Eleanor Noble, ACTRA’s national president, stated that this issue transcends being just a trading disagreement; instead, it represents a direct assault on the income sources of Canadian artists and creators.

As a passionate advocate for the dynamic world of cinema and television, I, Neishaw Ali, CEO and executive producer at Spin VFX, find myself standing against Donald Trump’s suggested tariffs on productions originating outside the United States. These tariffs contradict the rapidly evolving nature of our global entertainment industry, which thrives on collaboration, creativity, and a borderless approach to storytelling.

Ali stated to THR that a complete tariff on services and content related to production would be extremely detrimental to our industry, as it heavily depends on international cooperation to operate effectively and innovatively. Today’s studios are global entities facing immense pressure to deliver top-notch content at affordable prices while maintaining sustainability.

For big and medium-sized productions, it’s crucial to have teams that are proficient in technology, creative, and innovative – resources that can be hard to come by due to their high demand and limited availability, especially when many projects are being worked on concurrently,” Ali pointed out. His latest works at Spin VFX include the visual effects for Paramount+’s School Spirits and Netflix’s The Umbrella Academy and Saving Bikini Bottom.

Ontario Creates, an agency responsible for promoting Ontario as a filming location to Hollywood, is considering the impact of President Trump’s movie tariff alongside previously imposed taxes on Ontario-produced goods sold in the U.S. market. They stated, “We are collaborating closely with our industry and labor partners who have been affected by President Trump’s unwarranted tariffs.”

Ontario Creates is looking at how a new movie tax by President Trump affects them, along with other taxes on their goods sold in the U.S. They’re working together with their partners in the industry and labor force who have been affected by these unfair tariffs.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford expressed his frustration with President Trump’s latest tariff proposal during a press conference in Toronto, while advocating for the province’s film industry. “He’s just incredible, always something new with him,” Ford said. “We have grown our film industry to around $3 billion, and our aim is $5 billion. However, he continues to target the entire world. It’s evident that this approach is not working in his favor.” Ford made this statement in response to unfavorable polling for President Trump ahead of the U.S. mid-term elections scheduled for 2026.

British Columbia’s creative sector, known for promoting its westernmost region to Hollywood, is also seeking a clear explanation regarding the proposed U.S. film tariff. “As a renowned production center worldwide, B.C. continues to prioritize maintaining industry stability and confidence,” said the government agency in their statement. “We are actively collaborating to gain clarity and offer assistance during this period of uncertainty.

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2025-05-06 22:55