UPDATE: BL movies, series and President Trumps proposed tariffs. Letter opposing tariffs on foreign films with subtitles. Petition also.

BL series represent an import opportunity to fight homophobia in the United States. If these tariffs are implemented on non-English speaking foreign films, BL could be shut down in the United States.

May 07, 2025

Subscriptions are free.

Background information on why this film genera is important to Gays is in links at the end of this post.

Tarrif on foreign movies called off in a day, but we should be wary.

The tarrif might be back on again next Thursday, then called off again the following Monday and then on again later the week after. That is the situation we find ourselves in now days.

So it would hurt to sign the petition anyways. Maybe in August, it will be an issue again.

Sign the petition.

https://www.change.org/No_Tariffs_for_BL

Introduction

It has been recently reported in the news that President Trump is proposing a 100% tariff on foreign films.

This could shutdown BL in the United States if it applies to BL series. The cost of Rakuten Viki, IQYI, GagaOOlala and others would likely double in price and at that price there might not be enough of a market to justify providing BL to the US market.

The fans of BL, a genera of male-male romances, are also a fan base strongly opposed to homophobia. Established in the United States it could be a powerful cultural phenomenon in opposition to homophobia.

So I wrote a letter to Donald Trump and I am starting a petition to exempt non-English language films and series using subtitles.

Section of links about President Trumps proposed tariffs are at the end of this post.

The letter to Donald Trump.

May 6, 2025

Edward H. Sebesta

Street address redacted.

Dallas, TX 75XXX

President Donald J. Trump

The White House

Office of the President

1600 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W.

Washington, DC 20500

Dear Hon. Trump:

I read in news reports that you are thinking of a 100% tariff on movies. It is unclear in these news stories that you would include this tariff on other video productions such as television series or video productions that are part of a drama series.

I ask you to exempt movies and other video production that are mostly not in English and which use subtitles.

[1] These productions are not a factor in the off shoring the American film industry. They were never produced in the United States in the first place.

[2] They serve small markets, often marginal in terms of their economics, and a 100% tariff might well shut them down, and if not shut them down, surely contract their audience. Any possible revenue will not be much.

[3] Observing foreign films and series is an easy way for Americans to learn about other peoples and places. This is good for American relations with the world. Every American when they travel to a foreign nation is an ambassador for America and these foreign language films are an easy and fun way to prepare Americans.

[4] The showing of foreign films in America is a way of having film and video producers in contact with America and working with Americans. I think it provides a soft power for the United States of America.

I hope to hear soon that non-English foreign films with subtitles will not be subject to tariffs.

Sincerely yours,

Edward H. Sebesta