In an odd turn in Donald Trump‘s continuing trade war, the US has placed a 10% tariff on Heard Island and McDonald Islands — isolated, unpopulated Australian islands off Antarctica. The islands, inhabited by penguins, seals, and seabirds, but no humans, have no infrastructure, people, or documented exports to America.
This notwithstanding, the Trump administration put them on a list of territories impacted by new tariffs, and Australia reacted with outrage. The Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, condemned the action as nonsensical and declared it served to show “nowhere on Earth is safe.”
The islands, a UNESCO World Heritage site preserved for their pristine environment, are only accessible by a harrowing boat ride from Western Australia. Nobody has been there in almost a decade.
Adding to the confusion, other remote Australian territories such as Norfolk Island were also affected — with Norfolk being charged a 29% tariff. Albanese raised the question of logic, saying that it‘s ridiculous to consider small islands as trading competitors.
They are perplexed, noting that there‘s barely any trade from the locations. An expert well-known in the region stated that the only commerce close by is a bit of fishing by two or three Australian businesses.
The strange move immediately became meme fodder on the internet. People on social media pictured penguins demonstrating outside the White House, waving anti-tariff banners, or negotiating with Trump in the Oval Office — ridiculing the surrealistic nature of the action.
