Heard and McDonald Islands — home only to seals, penguins, and sea birds — were bizarrely included in Trump’s sweeping tariff list against Australia.
📍 New Delhi | April 3, 2025
In a tariff announcement that has stunned not just policymakers but also penguins, US President Donald Trump has imposed new trade tariffs on Heard and McDonald Islands, remote sub-Antarctic territories where no humans reside and which haven’t seen visitors in nearly a decade.
🐧 The Wildest Addition to Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ Tariffs
During his “Liberation Day” speech in the White House Rose Garden, Trump unveiled a poster listing all the countries and territories slapped with tariffs, and surprisingly, the uninhabited Heard and McDonald Islands — Australian territory — were on it.
Also Read: Inside Trump’s Tariffs: China, India, EU Among Hardest Hit in New Trade Blitz
According to Axios, a White House official confirmed the islands were included because they fall under Australia’s sovereignty, thus subject to the same “discounted reciprocal tariffs” of 10%.
Also Read: “Mixed Bag, Not Setback”: India Analyzing Impact of Trump’s 26% Tariff
The absurdity wasn’t lost on the internet or global observers.
🇦🇺 Australia Responds: “Nowhere on Earth is Safe”
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese responded with both sarcasm and concern, stating:
“Nowhere on Earth is safe… These tariffs are not unexpected, but they are unwarranted.”
Our Government will always stand up for Australia.
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) April 2, 2025
These are uncertain times – but all Australians can be certain of this: we will always stand up for Australian jobs, Australian industry, Australian consumers and Australian values.
These tariffs are not unexpected, but they… pic.twitter.com/bXaFTcvnN8
He assured Australians that the country is well-prepared to weather the trade storm, despite its remote wildlife sanctuaries being targeted.
📍 What Are Heard and McDonald Islands?
- UNESCO World Heritage-listed territory
- Located in the sub-Antarctic Indian Ocean
- Accessible only by a 10-day ship journey from Western Australia
- No human inhabitants
- Home to penguins, seals, and endangered birds
- Managed under strict environmental protection programs by the Australian Antarctic Division
📦 Why the Tariff Still Technically Applies
Although there is no trade with the islands (since there are no people, ports, or production), US trade documentation included the region as it falls under Australia’s broader trade jurisdiction.
Also affected were other Australian external territories:
- Norfolk Island – hit with a whopping 29% tariff despite a population of just 2,188
- Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Christmas Island – all included under Trump’s expanded tariff regime
💬 Final Word
While experts debate the real-world impact of this decision, social media had a field day. A viral comment on X summed it up best:
“Trump just sanctioned penguins. What a time to be alive.”