Actor-director Kristen Stewart revealed she may soon depart the United States due to new tariff policies proposed by former President Donald Trump affecting the film industry. Stewart discussed her concerns during an interview with The Times, noting that financial and political obstacles are influencing where she chooses to work and live.
Filming Outside the US Due to Tariffs
Stewart recently filmed her latest project, The Chronology of Water, in Latvia, stating that shooting it in the United States
“would have been impossible to do in the [U.S.]”
because
“reality is breaking completely under [President Donald] Trump.”
She expressed significant fear regarding the tariffs that are soon to be implemented, which she believes could seriously restrict her creative freedom and the film industry’s viability in America.
Plans to Relocate and Future Aspirations
Currently residing in both Los Angeles and New York, Kristen Stewart admitted she is uncertain about continuing to live in the US, responding with “Probably not” when asked about her future residence. Although reluctant to sever ties completely, she stated,
“I can’t work freely there. But I don’t want to give up completely.”
Stewart also revealed her desire
“to make movies in Europe and then shove them down the throat of the American people.”
Reflecting on the Changing Industry Landscape
Stewart passionately spoke about how she processes the world creatively, saying,
“It’s how I relate to the world. I’m always going, ‘How are we going to make that into a movie?’”
Her comments underline the frustration and urgency she feels as industry conditions evolve.
Trump’s Tariff Plans on Foreign-Made Films
According to The New York Post, Donald Trump announced intentions to impose tariffs on movies produced outside the US, including those from Canada and other countries. He claimed,
“I’m going to be putting tariffs on movies from outside of the country — if they’re made in Canada, if they’re made in all these places, because Los Angeles has lost the movie industry.”
This development has added to the tension faced by filmmakers like Stewart.
Implications for the Film Industry and Stewart’s Career
Kristen Stewart’s potential exit from the United States highlights rising challenges within the American film scene amid protective economic measures. Her move to film abroad and dissatisfaction with current policies may inspire other industry professionals to reconsider their own positions. This shift could impact the US’s cultural output and international relations in the entertainment sector going forward.
