US President Donald Trump’s list of ‘reciprocal' tariffs also includes barren, uninhabited volcanic islands near Antarctica which are home to penguins. Trump announced 'kind' and discounted 'reciprocal' tariffs on almost all trading partners.
However, the list also included a 10% tariff on the Heard and McDonald Islands, which are among the remotest parts of Earth. According to a report by The Guardian, it takes a two-week boat voyage from Perth on Australia’s west coast to reach the islands.
These islands are “external territories” of Australia, which have a unique relationship with the federal government.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has responded by saying, "Nowhere on earth is safe". In a report by India Today Albanese says, “The (Trump) administration's tariffs have no basis in logic and they go against the basis of our two nations' partnership. This is not the act of a friend," Albanese said, while maintaining that Australia will not impose reciprocal tariffs on the United States. We will not join a race to the bottom that leads to higher prices and slower growth.”
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29% Tariff On Other Islands
There are more such territories included in the White House list, such as the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Christmas Island and Norfolk Island, which has a population of 2,188 people and has got a 29% tariff. The report by The Guardian says that in 2023, Norfolk Island exported $655,000 worth of goods to the US, with the main import being leather footwear.
However, George Plant, the administrator of Norfolk Island, has disputed this and said that “There are no known exports from Norfolk Island to the United States and no tariffs or known non-tariff trade barriers on goods coming to Norfolk Island.”
According to the Associated Press (AP), the action amounts to a historic tax hike that could push the global order to a breaking point.