Trump’s Film Tariff Sparks New Push for Site Blocking Law

President Trump’s bold call for a 100% tariff on foreign films is creating headlines, but the bigger story may be how anti-piracy groups are quietly using the moment to revive a push for site-blocking laws in Washington.

While Hollywood tries to make sense of how such a tax would be enforced, groups aligned with the entertainment industry are urging the former president to pivot in a different direction.

Instead of tariffs, they want Congress to pass site-blocking laws. The goal? Shut down access to foreign piracy sites that traffic in stolen content and chip away at U.S. film profits.

This isn’t the first time we’ve seen anti-piracy groups push for site blocking laws behind the scenes while other legislation makes the headlines.

Anti-Piracy Group Calls for Stronger Copyright Laws

The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), a D.C.-based policy group with close ties to Hollywood, issued a public response just days after Trump’s post.

Rodrigo Balbontin, who handles trade and digital policy at ITIF, warned that tariffs on digital content could trigger unintended consequences.

He argued that the U.S. has a global advantage in digital media and a large surplus in digital trade. Taxing foreign films, many of which are distributed online, could provoke retaliation and harm U.S. streaming giants.

Instead, ITIF says the U.S. should block access to piracy sites operating outside the country. These platforms distribute copyrighted content without paying rights holders and continue to undercut legal services.

Site Blocking Already Law Abroad

More than 50 countries already block piracy sites. Nations like the UK, Canada, Australia, and several across Europe have systems in place that prevent access to websites that host or link to illegal copies of films and shows.

Studies show this method reduces piracy and pushes users toward legal streaming platforms. According to ITIF, a U.S. version of this law would help protect jobs in the entertainment sector and stop foreign actors from profiting off stolen content.

Film Incentives vs. Piracy: Not the Same Fight

Trump’s tariff pitch is based on the idea that other countries are luring U.S. productions away with tax breaks and subsidies.

While it’s true that nations like Ireland, Portugal, and Spain offer hefty production incentives, these don’t always overlap with piracy threats.

In fact, many of the most aggressive tax credit programs come from countries that already enforce strong copyright protections. For example:

• Ireland: 40% credit for independent films.
• Portugal: 30% refund on productions over €2.5 million.
• Spain: Up to 70% in tax credits depending on region.

These incentives are designed to attract legal business, not promote piracy. So while tariffs might slow international production, they wouldn’t touch the root issue piracy groups are targeting.

Final Thoughts

Anti-piracy groups are taking advantage of Trump’s film tariff proposal by quietly reviving a long-standing goal: site-blocking legislation.

While headlines focus on a potential trade clash, groups like ITIF are using the moment to push Congress for stricter copyright laws, framing them as economic defense measures tied to national policy.

It’s a familiar move, seen before with efforts like SOPA and PIPA, where enforcement bills nearly passed before public backlash stalled them.

This time, the approach is more calculated. By linking copyright enforcement to Trump’s broader trade strategy, site-blocking is being positioned as a commonsense solution that could slip through with less resistance.

For more information on this story, refer to the ITIF press release and the report from TorrentFreak.

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