"Irrational U.S. tariffs could trigger a chain reaction, as IP-driven cultural industries are 'cross-media, integrated and long-chained,'" said Chen Xuguang, director of the Institute of Film, Television and Theatre at Peking University. Washington's tariff policies risk triggering a ripple effect, with audiences drifting away from Hollywood films and potentially other U.S. cultural exports tied to major IP, he said.
Repercussions
Washington's trade restrictions and tariff escalations against China are already being felt in the reception of American cultural exports here. Franchises like Transformers, Fast & Furious and even Marvel, once guaranteed box office juggernauts, are now performing inconsistently -- or outright poorly -- in China.
"It's been rare for an American film to cross the 100 million yuan mark in China in recent years -- unless it's something truly special," said Dong Wenxin, a film critic and manager of a cinema in Jinan, Shandong Province. "They're getting beaten not just by Japanese anime but also by European arthouse and regional Asian surprises."
Tastes are shifting. Japanese animation continues to draw steady crowds, while European and Southeast Asian films are gaining ground. This year's surprise hits, Italy's "There's Still Tomorrow" and Britain's "National Theatre Live: Prima Facie," have exceeded expectations. Thailand's "How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies" became a breakout sleeper last year.
Looking ahead, Dong said China's film market is likely to forge even closer ties beyond the United States to meet the increasingly diverse audience needs. And Beijing is already moving in that direction.
A recent film agreement with Spain calls for deepening collaboration on co-productions, film festivals and mutual screenings, signaling that China is broadening its cultural partnerships.
The irony is stark: Washington's trade restrictions and tariff moves, designed to protect American industries, may end up crippling one of the country's most impactful exports -- its cultural influence, analysts say.
"U.S. tariffs don't just tax goods -- they tax appeal," said Ming. "And in today's global entertainment economy, once that appeal wanes, even the strongest cultural influence may have to struggle to endure."