President Donald Trump brushed off China’s latest retaliatory threat in the escalating trade showdown—this time aimed at America’s cultural exports. Beijing announced it would begin limiting access to U.S. films, a move widely seen as part of its response to Trump’s aggressive new tariff policies.
Trump’s response? Pure Trump.
“I think I’ve heard worse things,” he said with a grin when asked about China targeting Hollywood. The remark drew laughter from the press pool and underscored the President’s unapologetic approach to both trade negotiations and Hollywood politics.
“China retaliated today by reducing the number of American films that can be shown there. What’s your reaction to them now targeting cultural exports?”@POTUS: “I’ve heard of worse things.” ? pic.twitter.com/zpseCdDXEX
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 10, 2025
China’s state-run film agency said it would “moderately reduce” the number of U.S. films allowed into Chinese theaters, claiming the move was a response to the White House’s 125% tariff on Chinese goods. The agency accused the U.S. of “misusing” economic tools, and suggested Chinese audiences were growing less favorable toward American movies as a result.
But for Trump, whose relationship with Hollywood has been anything but friendly, the threat landed with a shrug.
Earlier this year, the President named actors Sylvester Stallone, Mel Gibson, and Jon Voight as special envoys to Hollywood—an unmistakable message that the administration isn’t interested in playing by the entertainment industry’s rules. Trump has repeatedly described Hollywood as a “very troubled place,” plagued by elitism, censorship, and moral decay.
As Trump focuses on reshaping global trade, he’s made it clear that China’s economic retaliation will be met with even greater resolve. Under his leadership, the U.S. recently rolled out a 90-day pause on most tariffs to encourage negotiations with friendly nations—but China was intentionally excluded. The administration instead slapped Beijing with a 125% tariff for its continued economic aggression and refusal to play fair.
Trump’s America First trade policy is gaining support from business leaders like Kevin O’Leary, who argue the administration should go even further. O’Leary has suggested tariffs on Chinese goods should hit 400%, insisting it’s the only way to get the Chinese Communist Party to take U.S. demands seriously.
The President, however, is striking a careful balance—applying maximum pressure on China while leaving the door open for nations willing to negotiate fair and reciprocal deals. Cultural retaliation from Beijing, such as reducing Hollywood access, may grab headlines, but it does little to shake Trump’s core objective: fixing the decades-old trade imbalance and restoring American manufacturing and sovereignty.
As the trade war intensifies, Trump remains unflinching. And if Beijing thinks threatening Hollywood will rattle the White House—they clearly haven’t been paying attention.