Trump has said that raising tariffs will force production companies to move filming back to the US , benefiting that economy. According to renowned South African film producer Anant Singh, however, Trump's tariffs are unlikely to impact the choice by US production houses to film in South Africa because their costs locally would still be lower than on US soil - even with the steep tariffs Trump wants imposed.
"I don't understand the logic, but then many of Trump's decisions don't seem to have logic," Singh said in an interview with 702, a Johannesburg-based radio station, on Tuesday.
"He's imposing tariffs on films that are shot outside of the US but when you look at the film industry - whether they are shot here, in Budapest or the US - it is American-made movies that generate 90 of global income. A lot of these films are American productions that are shot in South Africa, so is he going to tax his own productions? Who knows?
"They are happy to do it film here because if they did it anywhere else their costs would probably double."
Cape Town's allure to international filmmakers extends beyond its picturesque scenery and low cost. Singh said there are other locations, such as Malta and Greece, that are similarly competitive. Where Cape Town stands out is in the availability of highly skilled, creative technical talent that is among the best in the world.