Tariffs on Movies, Lumber, and Home Goods
- Schulz Trade Law
- Oct 7
- 2 min read
Tariffs on Movies, Lumber, and Home Goods
Michelle Schulz Breaks Down What’s Next
International trade attorney Michelle Schulz explains how new tariffs—ranging from 10% on lumber to 100% on foreign-made films—could ripple through construction, housing, and entertainment industries.
A 100% Tariff on Foreign-Made Films
In her interview with Local News Live, Michelle Schulz described the President’s latest tariff move—a 100% duty on all movies produced outside the United States—as potentially devastating for the entertainment sector.
“My concern is the administrative nightmare associated with those tariffs. Tariffs are based on the value of the imported merchandise into the U.S., but with movies, we’re looking at an intangible—something that could be made over many years and across multiple countries. How will customs value those movies?”
The complexity of assigning value to creative works, she explained, makes enforcement both unprecedented and uncertain.
Lumber and Construction: A Softer Hit, but Still Painful
The new tariffs don’t stop at Hollywood. Imports of softwood timber and lumber—materials essential for construction and renovation—will now face a 10% tariff.
Schulz noted that this will directly affect the hospitality and building sectors.
“Hotels need to be constantly renovated, and we’ve already seen that starting to play out,” she said. “They use softwoods like pine and spruce to refurbish, so we could end up with hotels that are outdated. The same goes for office buildings and other types of construction.”
She added that much of the U.S. supply chain depends on imported timber, often from China, and that additional tariffs may “stack” on top of the new 10% duty, amplifying the financial strain.
Housing Prices and the Consumer Impact
When asked how these tariffs might affect housing, Schulz didn’t mince words:
“As a homebuyer myself, it concerns me. Housing prices have to go up because all of the materials going into the houses are going up.”
She pointed to a chain reaction across the construction market:
“We’ve got lumber and timber, aluminum and steel also being tariffed at higher rates—50% on kitchen cabinets and 30% on upholstered furniture. So the construction industry, building comfortable areas for people, is going to be impacted dramatically unless something changes by November 1.”
Tariffs on essential goods and industries are changing rapidly—and their impact is multiplying across sectors from entertainment to real estate.
If your company is facing uncertainty around import costs, material sourcing, or compliance requirements, contact Schulz Trade Law today for guidance on navigating evolving U.S. trade measures.
Trade on, but trade informed!
Subscribe to Schulz Trade Law for more updates.
About Us
We are a dedicated team of trade law professionals, committed to helping businesses navigate the complexities of international regulations and tariffs. With deep industry knowledge and a client-first approach, we provide clear, actionable insights to protect your interests and drive success in a dynamic global market.
Contact Us
Stay ahead of trade law changes!
Contact us today for guidance on tariffs and regulations to safeguard your business.
Comments