Gentleman Penguin Colony on the Antarctic Coast – Trump’s tariffs strangely include such remote wildlife habitats despite the lack of trade activity: Shutterstock, Mozgova
It’s not every day that Penguins, military front posts and volcanic islands are dragged into the world trade war, but that’s exactly what happened under President Donald Trump’s latest tariff policy.
As part of a drastic list affecting 185 countries and territory, Washington has introduced a baseline import tax of over 10%, including places that do not actually trade with the United States or where permanent human residents are.
Among the more surprising entries are the MacDonald Islands, a frozen flock of remote territory near Antarctica, and Jan Meyen, a barren volcanic island in the Arctic Ocean owned by Norway. Both are home to penguins, seals and a small number of researchers, but there is no real economy.
Norfolk Island hits with 29% US tariffs, higher than Australian mainland
These remote zones may not soon ship containers full of goods to the US, but the foreign territory they lived in was also caught up in crossfire.
Norfolk Island, an external territory of Australia with over 2,000 residents, is chosen with a 29% import duties with raised eyebrows compared to 10% of Australia’s mainland.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese responded with confusion, telling the press:
Trade figures show Norfolk Island reportedly exported $655,000 (591,000 euros) worth of goods to the United States in 2023. However, local officials say they are confused. “No known exports to the US,” the spokesman said. “We’re stirring our heads here.”
US tariffs target remote islands without trade and without wildlife and research foundations
What’s even more confusing is the tariffs that apply to unmanned or barely populated areas. The Heard Islands and MacDonald Islands are very isolated, accessible only from two weeks of sea voyages from Australia, and require special permission to visit due to the vulnerable ecosystem. Still, they were listed at 10% tariffs despite exports being zero.
Similarly, Norway’s island of Jan Meyen, where only seasonal scientists and military personnel were located, suffered the same 10% tax, just like the nearby Svalbad Archipelago, which has a small tourist economy of around 3,000 people.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Garst Leah called the move “bad news,” noting that the US is Norway’s third largest export market, receiving around 8% of its products. A 15% tariff was given on products in mainland Norway.
Other unlikely targets include the British Indian Ocean territory. The British Indian Ocean Territories house approximately 3,000 military personnel and contractors at the joint UK US base in Diego Garcia.
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