The trade war between the US and China is claiming an unexpected new victim: the burgeoning cohort of American actors seeking fame and fortune in China’s fast-growing film industry.
Actors and film industry staff have told the Financial Times that Chinese studios are imposing an informal ban on American nationals, fearing that a worsening trade war could lead Beijing's censors to place restrictions on US-related content.
“My agency in China ended our contract claiming the trade war with America amounts to force majeure. I can only assume it looks bad for them to be working with an American,” said Matt William Knowles, who was cut from a $75m project last month.