- Trump’s new tariffs include Heard and McDonald Islands, despite being uninhabited.
- Australian PM Albanese calls the move “unwarranted” and warns “nowhere on Earth is safe.”
- Mysterious US imports from the islands raise questions about trade data accuracy.
In a surprising move, US President Donald Trump announced new tariffs under what he called the “Liberation Day tariffs.” While his speech focused on protecting America from what he claimed was years of economic exploitation, the tariff list included an unexpected name – Heard Island and McDonald Islands.
These remote islands, located in the sub-Antarctic Indian Ocean, are uninhabited and home only to wildlife like penguins and seals. Yet, they were included in the 10% tariff imposed on all trade partners simply because they are Australian territories. Axios reported that a US government document even accused the islands of trade barriers and currency manipulation.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese criticized the decision, calling the tariffs “unwarranted.” He warned that “nowhere on Earth is safe” from such policies and reassured Australians that his government would protect their interests.
Adding to the mystery, US trade data revealed that America imported $1.4 million worth of goods from these uninhabited islands in 2022, mostly classified as “machinery and electrical” products. The sudden rise in trade figures raised questions about what was being shipped from these icy, uninhabited lands.
Other Australian territories, including Norfolk Island, also faced high tariffs, with Norfolk Island hit by a staggering 29% tariff.
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