Nearly three decades have passed since the release of
Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace
,
and a growing number of Star Wars enthusiasts are starting to reconsider their earlier critiques of George Lucas. While Lucas frequently asserted that the Star Wars saga was designed for younger audiences, certain narrative choices have always seemed quite peculiar. One notable moment that still surprises many viewers is the film’s opening crawl, which introduces dry themes like tariffs and trade disputes—far from the thrilling escapism that children typically seek.
As time has passed, fans are beginning to recognize that the narrative elements of the film resonate differently today than they did upon release.
Some people owe George Lucas an apology for insulting the trade war plot in ‘The Phantom Menace’ pic.twitter.com/OWIz7kV9LG — Star Wars Facts (@sw_tweets) April 3, 2025
The underlying themes of tariffs and economic control remind us of the real world, where money increasingly wields power. Lucas recognized that Star Wars is as much a political commentary as it is a tale of good versus evil. As fans reflect on the context of that narrative, it becomes clear why these elements are now gaining significance.
The Political Nature of Tariffs in 1999
It took a while, but the plot of Phantom Menace is finally starting to make sense. — Geoff Norcott (@GeoffNorcott) April 3, 2025
Interestingly, the political implications surrounding tariffs were prominent even back in 1999. On March 3 that same year, President Bill Clinton escalated tensions with the European Union by imposing a 100% tariff on $520 million worth of goods, which included products like Waterford crystal and Italian pecorino cheese. This decision stemmed from a dispute over banana exports—a reminder of the contentious nature of international trade relations. Today’s issues are undoubtedly much more complex, but the seeds of these themes were already sown in that era.
Everyone watching The Phantom Menace in 1999: “Why does this matter? Tarrifs and blockades of trade routes in outer space?â€\u009d George Lucas in 2025: pic.twitter.com/6AmPl5TDop — David Leavitt ðŸ\u017d²ðŸ\u017d®ðŸ§™â€&008d♂ï¸&009f🌈 🔜 #PaxEast (@David_Leavitt) March 20, 2025
Upon my initial viewing in 1999, the intricate discussions of tariffs flew right over my head. My focus was solely on the Trade Federation, portrayed as antagonists threatening to destabilize the galaxy, aided by a sinister Sith Lord.
Acknowledging Lucas: We Understand Now
George Lucas in 1999 centering the Phantom Menace around space tariffs: https://t.co/CmnSWSLMNr pic.twitter.com/1Munso5JNE — Lunwi is BORN AGAIN!!! (@Lunwi67) November 22, 2024
The juxtaposition of these themes with present-day events is quite fascinating. Meanwhile, the Marvel Cinematic Universe tackled similar narratives, featuring a crime lord rising to political power and a President turned into a monster—a satirical take that emerged shortly after Donald Trump’s inauguration. As Disney moves forward with stories like the upcoming season of Andor that focuses on the struggles against authoritarianism, one can’t help but wonder how the trajectory of these franchises might have changed had they anticipated the political landscape that was to unfold.
Ultimately, one significant takeaway has emerged: many Star Wars aficionados may indeed owe George Lucas a heartfelt apology for dismissing the cleverly woven political commentary present in his narrative.