Exclusive: Tom Tate tells mate Donald Trump to “remember your allies”
Mayor Tom Tate has appealed to Donald Trump as a “mate” to “remember your allies” in a letter spruiking the Gold Coast’s film industry and arguing against tariffs. READ THE LETTER IN FULL
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Mayor Tom Tate has appealed to Donald Trump as a “mate” and urged him to “remember your allies” in a letter imploring the US President not to impose tariffs on the Gold Coast film industry.
In his letter dated May 8 Mr Tate talked up the Gold Coast’s links with the United States via the Pacific Airshow, the National Football League international academy and a movie industry that had hosted Hollywood A-listers like Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts.
“Mr President, I know your style is direct. So let me be direct too. These kind of partnerships work. They grow jobs, build friendships and deep understanding,” Mr Tate wrote.
“They make tariffs and trade barriers feel like the wrong conversation when we could be talking about trust and co-operation and growing cultural and economic ties for our mutual benefit.”
“Let’s pretend we’re just two people, side-by-side – no titles, no podiums, just a chat,” the Mayor wrote.
“I want to share with you a few things, honestly, directly, and with utmost respect, about the strong and growing ties between the United States and our city, the Gold Coast, Australia’s sixth largest city and proud co-host of the 2032 Summer Olympics and Paralympic Games.”
Mr Tate praised the “American ingenuity” that gave birth to a film industry that had reached the Gold Coast.
“With iconic beaches, lush hinterland and a skyline that sparkles, it’s not wonder Hollywood came calling,” Mr Tate wrote.
“And they didn’t just film here – they stayed a while. We welcomed Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Ron Howard, Austin Butler, Kurt Russell and others who brought their prodigious talent to the Gold Coast and, in return, took home warm memories of our city and the hospitality they received.”
The Mayor’s letter came after a social media post from Mr Trump earlier this month in which he said he had ordered his commerce department to institute a 100 per cent tariff to movies made outside the United States.
He later told US business channel CNBC: “I’m not looking to hurt the industry, I want to help the industry.
“So we’re going to meet with the industry. I want to make sure they’re happy with it because we’re all about jobs.
Mr Tate, who has been actively promoting the Gold Coast’s film industry, recently met with Disney executives, while Elvis director Baz Luhrmann and his Oscar-winning wife Catherine Martin were granted a private presentation to councillors behind closed doors at the Evandale Chambers.
The City is currently awaiting a response from President Trump.
THE LETTER IN FULL
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Originally published as Exclusive: Tom Tate tells mate Donald Trump to “remember your allies”
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