If the writers strike wasn't enough to hurt major media companies, the added problem of trade relations with China is causing some major damage as well, as films from U.S. movie companies are no longer being given permission to be shown at Chinese theaters.
U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez said, "My understanding is that there is a suspension, which has happened in the past, and there's certain times of the year where they will suspend foreign movies." U.S. officials are working on getting the ban removed.
One problem unrelated to the film industry, but directly impacting it, is the frustration of China over how quickly the U.S. has been taking trade cases to court, while at the same time it saying they want to increase dialogue with the Chinese over trade problems.
While some elements of the press in the U.S. have demonized products made in China, they have exaggerated the depth of the problem, which has also caused consternation with the Chinese.
Even so, they acknowledge there's a need to improve their overall processes, and agreed to a plan which would increase the safety of products and food exported by them to the United States.
All of this is having an impact on Hollywood, as the Chinese respond to what they consider unfair reports, by cutting off the movie industry from access to the Chinese market.
While that's a part of the problem, the Chinese have been known for taking periods of time where they block film imports, in order to strengthen their domestic film market.
In the past, usually China has limited American film imports to 20 a year. That and the occasional ban during key times, along with the current trade pressures, makes it a difficult time for Hollywood to have the Chinese market make a major impact on its bottom line.
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