Mayor Tom Tate seeks answers from US President Donald Trump after movie tariff move
Mayor Tom Tate admits saving the Gold Coast film industry from US President Donald Trump’s tariffs is much like a blockbuster movie – this time it’s personal. FIND OUT WHY
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Mayor Tom Tate admits saving the Gold Coast film industry from US President Donald Trump’s tariffs is much like a blockbuster movie – this time it’s personal.
The Mayor was on Wednesday completing a letter to Mr Trump pleading for leniency after the president announced 100 per cent tariffs on foreign-made movies.
The letter was expected to be sent overnight and had not been sighted by anyone, including local industry leaders such as director Baz Luhrmann
“The first draft but I just want to get it right,” Mr Tate said.
“Donald will get it first.
“This has been so fast that my priority has really been to send this letter to the president and then I will speak with industry figures.
“We have got to move together as a team here but long-term I think we will be fine.”
Mr Tate’s letter comes after Mr Trump spoke out on the tariffs, insisting he did not want to harm the film industry.
“I’m not looking to hurt the industry, I want to help the industry,” he said to US business channel CNBC.
“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.
“(Hollywood’s film industry) has been decimated by other countries taking them out, and also by incompetence, like in Los Angeles, the governor (Gavin Newsom) is a grossly incompetent man, he’s just allowed it to be taken away from (them).
“Hollywood doesn’t do very much of that business, they have the nice sign, and everything’s good, but they don’t do very much.”
Mr Tate, whose daughter Emily has worked in the film industry for many years, said it was a personal matter, not just for himself but for the thousands of workers in the sector.
“Yeah it is personal, I cherish the film industry because Emily is in it … I am fighting for it regardless of who I know who is in it because arts and culture are the essence of our city now,” Mr Tate said.
“We are a creative people and anything that would stop our creative juice is something I will stand up against and (this letter) is the first path to register our disappointment.
“I think the message will get through to the president and he will get the picture that Australia has been strategically good political partners in the Pacific.”
Construction on film studios at Yatala will not be paused despite the tariffs threat but Mr Tate admitted it may be slowed.
The city signed a studio deal last year for a large block of land on the northern Gold Coast, identifying international company Shadowbox Studios as their preferred supplier in developing a 22ha site followed by a long-term operational lease.
The first stage, which is expected to be operational in 2028, includes up to six sound stages, a workshop, office building, backlot and outdoor filming space, all in a bid to cater for the city’s booming film sector.
Mr Tate said he did not believe the future development of the studios to be in jeopardy.
“I think Yatala will continue,” he said.
“But whether it will continue at the same pace is another question until we know the details.”
The Mayor said investment into the Gold Coast film industry, in particular Yatala, was a 30 year vision, so he “wouldn’t want” to see it put on hold.
But Mr Tate said the ultimate decision lay with the private sector developing the site.
“If the private sector wants it paused, it will be paused,” he said.
“We’re only supplying the land – we’re not putting more money into it.”
‘What have we done wrong?’: Mayor Tom Tate personally seeks answers from Trump
Mayor Tom Tate says he will personally reach out to US President Donald Trump after his announcement of a 100 per cent tariff on movies made outside the US.
The Gold Coast-anchored Australian filmmaking industry risks decimation after the US President said he had authorised his commerce department and trade representative to immediately institute a 100 per cent tariff on all movies made in other countries.
At a press conference on Tuesday morning Mr Tate said the call was a “kick in the guts” for our local screen industry.
“My concern is that this sends a message that people shouldn’t film outside the US,” Mr Tate said.
“I’m one with the Prime Minister on this, on advocacy with President Trump and hopefully he can see that Australia is a friend and the best way to remain close friends is that you help each other in arts and culture.”
The newly re-elected Albanese government has vowed to protect the local industry in the face of the new tariffs.
On Monday federal Arts Minister Tony Burke said there should be “no doubt” that the federal government will stand up for the Australian screen industry.
“When it comes to the US and Australia relationship we’re one of the closest allies they have,” Mr Tate said
“Our Prime Minister will build on that. You don’t change a winning combination – you’ve got the AUKUS pact, and really, if you’re in the same guernsey you don’t take advantage of the other teammate.”
Mr Tate said he would write to President Trump to “seek his compassionate side”, “be a voice of reason” and ask Mr Trump what it is “we’ve done wrong.”
“I thought we were closely tied,” Mr Tate said.
“In that industry it should be a free-trade agreement.
“All I can do is put my pen to paper, put my best foot forward and seek his compassionate side.”
Job security for a local crew of 6000 was one of Mr Tate’s biggest concerns, with the Mayor looking into expanding the market and exploring industry ties with South East Asia and other nations, regardless of the tariff details.
“I really cherish our film industry because so many young people have entered the industry in the last five years,” he said.
“I say if anything they’re the ones who are vulnerable, that’s why I am subdued.
“The big names, the movie stars, they’re global citizens, it won’t affect them. They (local crew) may need to temporarily change course in their career and that’s disheartening for anybody.”
He added it was difficult to hypothesise potential fallout and outcomes without further details of how Trump’s tariff would work, but would navigate that alongside Screen Queensland when more information comes to light.
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Originally published as Mayor Tom Tate seeks answers from US President Donald Trump after movie tariff move
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