Skip Navigation

Trump imposes tariffs on uninhabited Heard and McDonald Islands near Antarctica

www.theguardian.com Trump imposes tariffs on uninhabited Heard and McDonald Islands near Antarctica

Australian prime minister surprised after remote external territories – including islands home to penguins – targeted by US president

Trump imposes tariffs on uninhabited Heard and McDonald Islands near Antarctica

Summary

Donald Trump imposed a 10% tariff on goods from Heard Island and McDonald Islands—remote, uninhabited Australian territories near Antarctica—despite their lack of human activity or exports.

The White House listed them among “countries” facing new trade tariffs. Australia’s Prime Minister said, “Nowhere on Earth is safe.”

Other Australian external territories, like Norfolk Island, were hit harder, facing tariffs up to 29%.

Conflicting data show improbable exports from these islands, including $1.4m in “machinery and electrical” goods from Heard and McDonald Islands in 2022.

29
29 comments
29 comments