Bizarre Twist: Trump Tariffs Target Empty Territories
In an unprecedented move that has sparked both bewilderment and diplomatic concern, President Donald Trump’s administration has included completely uninhabited territories in its sweeping new global tariff structure. The Heard and McDonald Islands, a remote Australian external territory where no humans permanently reside, now faces a 10% tariff on any goods exported to the United States.
During Wednesday’s “Liberation Day” announcement at the White House Rose Garden, Trump unveiled a baseline 10% tariff on all countries seeking to import goods to the United States, with additional penalties for what the administration termed “worst offenders.” The inclusion of uninhabited territories caught many trade experts by surprise, prompting Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to declare that “nowhere on earth is safe,” according to NDTV.
The Heard and McDonald Islands, described by the Australian government as “one of the wildest and remotest places on Earth,” are a UNESCO World Heritage site located in the sub-Antarctic Indian Ocean. When questioned about the unusual inclusion, a White House official told Just Jared that the islands were targeted simply because they are Australian territory.
Trade Barriers Where No Trade Exists
Perhaps most perplexing about the tariff designation is that the islands, home primarily to penguin colonies and seals, have not been visited by humans in nearly a decade. According to the Australian Antarctic Program, it takes approximately ten days by ship from Western Australia to reach the isolated location, and commercial tours do not visit the area due to its extreme remoteness.
In materials distributed to reporters at the White House event, the administration claimed that the islands currently impose a 10% “Tariff to the USA,” which includes “currency manipulation and trade barriers.” The official documents indicated that the United States has implemented “discounted reciprocal tariffs” at the same rate in response to these alleged practices.
Trade experts note that the islands have no permanent infrastructure, economy, or political representation capable of establishing trade policies. The primary visitors to the region are occasional scientific researchers studying the unique ecosystems and wildlife populations.
🚨 #BREAKING: President Trump just officially signed the order mandating reciprocal tariffs across the board
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) April 2, 2025
America WILL NO LONGER be taken advantage of by every country on the planet!
We’re back! 🇺🇸
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Other Remote Territories Targeted
The Heard and McDonald Islands are not the only sparsely populated territories facing new tariffs. Jan Mayen, a remote Norwegian volcanic island in the Arctic Ocean with no permanent population, also appeared on the administration’s tariff list alongside Svalbard, which houses approximately 2,100 residents.
Several other Australian external territories were included in the tariff structure with varying rates. Norfolk Island, with a population of just 2,188 people, faces a surprisingly steep 29% tariff—19 percentage points higher than mainland Australia’s rate. The Cocos (Keeling) Islands and Christmas Island were also designated for the baseline 10% tariff.
Diplomatic Response
The unusual targeting of these remote locations has prompted diplomatic pushback. In a statement posted to social media platform X, Australian Prime Minister Albanese said, “These tariffs are not unexpected, but they are unwarranted. Many other countries will be hit harder by today’s decision than Australia—and no nation is better prepared than Australia.”
The Prime Minister added, “Our Government will always stand up for Australia. These are uncertain times—but all Australians can be certain of this: we will always stand up for Australian jobs, Australian industry, Australian consumers and Australian values.”
The tariff designations for uninhabited territories appear to be part of a broader approach by the Trump administration to apply pressure universally rather than selectively. The European Union, China, and dozens of other nations face elevated tariffs ranging from 20% to over 50% in some cases.
Economic analysts suggest that while the direct impact of tariffs on uninhabited islands may be symbolic rather than substantial, they signal the administration’s determination to leave no potential trading partner—inhabited or not—outside its new global trade framework. Meanwhile, the penguins and seals of Heard and McDonald Islands remain blissfully unaware of their new designation in international trade politics.
