US President Donald Trump’s planned movie tariffs have been criticised by Australia’s ambassador to Washington who told a gathering of business leaders he opposed a “tax on Bluey”.

Kevin Rudd cited the global hit and ABC children’s programme when he spoke at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Los Angeles, reports The Sydney Morning Herald.

“I don’t think we want to see a tax on Bluey,” the former prime minister said.

9PR: Bluey
The ABC children’s programme and global hit Bluey. (9Product Reviews)

“What happens if we all lock down our countries with competitive, punitive arrangements against each other’s movies?

“Movies are the way in which we kind of understand each other more. So I’d be all for opening this up.”

In what he said was a move to protect the US film and TV industry, Trump announced this week a plan to impose a 100 per cent tariff on all movies produced overseas.

It’s not at all clear how such a tariff would be imposed.

Films are intellectual property, not goods, so they represent a kind of service that is not currently subject to tariffs.

President Donald Trump talks with reporters on Air Force One as he heads back to Washington, Sunday, May 4, 2025, from West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
US President Donald Trump says his proposed tariff on overseas films and TV shows is about protecting Hollywood. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) (AP)

Rudd also ridiculed the 10 per cent US tariffs placed last month on the Heard and McDonald Islands, an Australian external territory off the coast of Antarctica.

“If you’ve seen the other great Australian movie, Happy Feet – you know, the penguins – those penguins of ours have just been tariffed down in Heard and Macquarie [sic] Island in Antarctica,” he said.

“They’re producing a sequel, it’s called Unhappy Feet. There’ll be a march of penguins on Washington.”

The Milken Institute conference was attended by high-powered business figures, including billionaire and Trump ally Elon Musk.

You May Also Like

Astronomer’s interim CEO Pete DeJoy reacts to ex-staffer saying he’s ‘laughed at the memes’ of Andy Byron’s kiss cam scandal

Pete DeJoy, the man hired to temporarily take over Astronomer CEO’s Andy…

Teenager stabbed in luxury Sydney suburb

Officers were called to Awaba Street in Mosman at 11pm after reports…

Walking just this many steps more per minute can help you age much better

Want to stay strong in your golden years? It might be time…

The Biden Admin Stole Your Data to Rig Elections and Censor Speech

Jason Chaffetz has delivered a devastating exposé that should terrify every…