US President Donald Trump has imposed a 10% tariff on goods from Australia’s remote volcanic islands, Heard Island and McDonald Islands, which are uninhabited and home to penguins. The move is part of the US president’s trade war with Australia.
Heard Island and McDonald Islands, an external territory of Australia, were listed in a White House report of countries that would face new tariffs. The Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, expressed concern, saying “nowhere on earth is safe”.
The islands’ unique relationship with the federal government means they are subject to trade agreements. Norfolk Island, another Australian territory on the list, has been hit with a 29% tariff, despite disputing its export figures.
In contrast, Heard Island and McDonald Islands have no known exports to the US, yet imported $1.4m worth of machinery and electrical goods in 2022. The White House did not immediately comment on the matter.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/03/donald-trump-tariffs-antarctica-uninhabited-heard-mcdonald-islands