The Guardian reported that the trade war initiated by U.S. President Donald Trump targeted a group of uninhabited, barren volcanic islands near Antarctica, leaving Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese puzzled.
The British newspaper clarified that Heard and McDonald Islands, which belong to Australia, were included in a list issued by the White House of countries subject to new tariffs. These islands are among the most remote places on Earth and can only be reached by a two-week sea voyage from Perth on Australia’s west coast. The only residents there are penguins.
Although the islands are fully uninhabited, with the last visit to them happening around 10 years ago, they are among several “overseas territories” of Australia that are listed separately for the 10% tariff imposed on goods.
As for Norfolk Island, which has a population of only 2,188 people and is located 1,600 kilometers northeast of Sydney, it faces a 29% tariff, 19% higher than the rest of Australia.
Albanese commented, “Norfolk Island is hit with a 29% tariff. I’m not entirely sure that this island is a major economic competitor to the U.S. economy, but this shows that no place on Earth is safe from this.”
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