Penguin Village was also hit by tariffs by Trump

Import tariffs imposed by the President of the United States, Donald Trump, are "sweeping" across the globe. Both adversaries and allies are treated the same. Canada, Singapore, Australia, and even the European Union are not exempt.

However, what is unique is that Trump also imposed import tariffs on Heard Island and McDonald Island. These islands are uninhabited and are located almost at the southernmost tip of the Earth, a remote place that is hardly known to the public.

The island, which is part of Australia's territorial area, is only inhabited by penguins, sea lions, and wild birds. However, the region located not far from Antarctica in the Southern Polar Circle was subjected to a 10 percent import tariff by Trump.

Of course, many people wonder what caused Trump to “punish” the island with import tariffs. Referring to The Guardian, the area does have fisheries potential. However, there is no activity related to the fishing industry on the island.

There are no buildings or human dwellings on the island designated as a sanctuary for penguins. Nevertheless, according to World Bank export data, *The Guardian* reported that in 2022, the US imported products worth 1.4 million US dollars from Heard Island and McDonald Islands.

Even The Guardian also mentioned that there were import figures from the island over several previous years. The value of these imports ranged from 15,000 US dollars to 325,000 US dollars.

The products imported from the "penguin village" are machinery and electrification products. So far, there has been no comment regarding this matter from the White House, as well as the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Another remote region also hit by Trump's tariffs is Norfolk Island. The territory, which is under Australia's control, was subjected to an import tariff of 29 percent. Norfolk Island is located between New Caledonia and New Zealand's North Island. This remote area in the Pacific Ocean is situated 1,600 kilometers northeast of Sydney.

Norfolk residents are descendants of sailors who mutinied on the HMS Bounty in 1789. They married Polynesian women and had children, forming a population of 2,000 in Norfolk.

Norfolk Island thrives on tourism, with cruise ships calling at the island, which has no airstrip.

The Norfolk Chamber of Commerce said they were ranked 223rd in the world in exports in 2019. Their exports were worth $2.7 million in soy-based foods and various plant seeds.

Richard Cottle, a Norfolk Island concrete plant owner, was puzzled by Trump’s tariffs. “There’s probably a mistake. Norfolk is a little red dot in the world. We’re not an exporting country,” Cottle said.

Norfolk's main export is a palm tree called Kentia, worth just under $1 million a year, destined for Europe.

Norfolk residents are confused by the tariffs. They are facing the same fate as China and the European Union, which are subject to high tariffs. Even though the Australian territory has no manufacturing capacity, let alone modern industry.

According to US data, the US has had a trade deficit in the last three years against Norfolk Island, Norfolk's exports to the US were US$300,000 in 2022, US$700,000 in 2023, and US$200,000 in 2024. Norfolk Island's imports from the US averaged US$100,000 per year in 2022–2024.

Norfolk Island's largest import from the US was recorded in 2020 at $11.7 million. It is not clear what Norfolk imported from the US and there were no recorded exports to the US in the same year.

Some Norfolk residents who spoke to Reuters said they were unsure what kind of industry was being taxed on their island. One pest control business owner said their imports from the U.S. were rat and rodent bait brought in via Australia.

“Norfolk Island products are taxed at 29 percent by the United States. Because there is no industry here, it certainly won’t have an impact,” said Gye Duncan, a tax consultant on Norfolk Island.

Miles Howe, a retired Australian civil servant and former member of the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce, said Trump's terms would not disrupt their peaceful lives.

“We are actually surprised and amazed that our small area could be on the radar of someone like Donald Trump,” Howe said.

"I don't think Norfolk Island is a significant exporter to the United States. Why they are subject to US tariffs is beyond me," Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.

“Nowhere in the world is safe,” Albanese said.

(Reuters/AFP)