In a rare bipartisan moment in Hollywood, a coalition of studio executives, top guild leaders, and actor-turned-political envoy Jon Voight have joined forces to ask President Trump for expanded federal tax incentives to keep film and TV production jobs in the U.S. — notably sidestepping his controversial call for 100% tariffs on overseas-made content.

The letter, co-signed by heads of SAG-AFTRA, DGA, WGA, IATSE, the MPA, Teamsters, and even Sylvester Stallone, makes a clear ask: expand Section 181 to raise the cap on qualifying productions to $30 million, extend domestic production incentives under Section 199, and reinstate the ability to carry back losses under Section 461. Their pitch? Support for these policies will “preserve and create American jobs” and help the U.S. maintain its title as the global capital of entertainment — without provoking a global trade war.

While Trump’s proposed tariffs have sparked fear of cost hikes and retaliatory duties, this letter avoids that landmine entirely, choosing instead to focus on carrots over sticks. As Deadline first reported, Voight and Stallone — both named as Trump’s special envoys to Hollywood — helped drive the effort behind the scenes.

SAG-AFTRA’s Duncan Crabtree-Ireland offered a diplomatic statement, applauding Trump’s attention to American jobs and aligning the union with a broader call for competitive federal action: “When the U.S. film and television industry prioritizes work and jobs in America, it solidifies its status as the global leader in entertainment.”

The message is clear: studios and unions alike want federal support, but they’re not ready to wage a tariff war to get it. And as industry players brace for Trump’s next move — or meeting — this letter is a not-so-subtle signal that Hollywood wants help, not hostilities.

Read the full letter here