US President Donald Trump hit friends and foes with tariffs on Liberation Day, but nobody expected him to come after Australia’s penguins.
News.com.au has confirmed the United States will be hitting Heard Island and the McDonald Islands with the tariff stick.
One of the most remote places on Earth, the Australian external territory comprises a volcanic group of mostly barren Antarctic Islands.
Trump surprised everyone by slapping tariffs on Australia’s uninhabited Heard Island and the McDonald Islands—home to, you guessed it, penguins and seals. Picture: AP Photo/Evan Vucci
And there’s at least one big problem with hitting the Heard Islands hard on the tariff front: humans don’t live there.
The only sentient beings able to pay tariffs if indeed they had a form of currency or indeed any industry to produce things for trade, are penguins, seals and certain species of flying birds.
The White House made it Instagram official.
Heard Island and the McDonald Islands (HIMI) are free from introduced predators and provide crucial breeding habitats in the middle of the Southern Ocean for many species of seabirds.
These volcanic islands are so far off the grid that the only ‘trade’ might be among the local wildlife. Picture: Supplied
The islands contain Australia’s only two active volcanoes and are among the most remote places on Earth:
They are located about 4,100 kilometres (2,200 nautical miles) southwest of Perth. You can only get there by sea, which from Australia takes two weeks.
Heard Island’s penguins are bracing. Picture: Supplied
Meanwhile, the Trump administration’s decision to impose tariffs of nearly 30 percent on Norfolk Island has left Australia baffled.
“I’m not quite sure that Norfolk Island, with respect to it, is a trade competitor with the giant economy of the United States,” Mr Albanese said.
“But that just shows and exemplifies the fact that nowhere on Earth is exempt from this.
Aussie products to be smashed by tariffs
Mr Trump this morning slapped new tariffs on Australia “effective immediately” in a move that is set to send the price of his beloved McDonald’s cheeseburger soaring.
Senior government sources have confirmed they are now expecting a 10 per cent tariff on all Australian exports.
However, Mr Trump has signalled tougher barriers for Aussie beef without providing specific details.
“We are expecting 10 per cent across the board unless the executive orders say otherwise,” a government source said.
Meat is Australia’s largest export to the US, accounting for roughly USD$4 billion in 2024. Precious stones and metals drew in $2 billion last year with pharmaceutical products ($1.4b), optical and medical apparatus ($1.2b) and heavy machinery ($1b) all key exports too.
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Aussie products to be smashed by Trump’s tariffs
US President Donald Trump has slapped new tariffs 10% on Australian beef…See more
‘Race to the bottom’
Australia has slammed US President Donald Trump’s tariff war as unwarranted, illogical and “not the act of a friend” warning our tough biosecurity protections for beef will remain.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stressed that Australia imposed no tariffs on US imports suggesting the correct tariff to apply was “zero.”
Speaking in Melbourne, Mr Albanese also urged for some “perspective” about the modest size of Australia’s exports to the United States.
“The unilateral action that the Trump Administration has taken today against every nation in the world does not come as a surprise,’’ he said.
“For Australia, these tariffs are not unexpected, but let me be clear – they are totally unwarranted.
“President Trump referred to reciprocal tariffs. A reciprocal tariff would be zero, not 10%.
“The administration’s tariffs have no basis in logic and they go against the basis of our two nation’s partnership.
“This is not the act of a friend.”
Anthony Albanese has railed on the “unwarranted” tariffs. Picture: Jason Edwards / NewsWire
Mr Albanese said Australia would not act to impose reciprocal tariffs in response.
“Today’s decision will add to uncertainty in the global economy and it will push up costs for American households,’’ he said.
“It is the American people who will pay the biggest price for these unjustified tariffs. This is why our Government will not be seeking to impose reciprocal tariffs.
“We will not join a race to the bottom that leads to higher prices and slower growth. We will stand up for Australia.”
However, he warned the decision would damage the relationship.
“The Australian people have every right to view this action by the Trump Administration as undermining our free and fair trading relationship and shared values that have always been at the heart of our two nations’ longstanding friendship,’’ he said.
“This will have consequences for how Australians see this relationship.
“These are uncertain times, but Australians can be absolutely certain of this: Our Government will always stand up for Australian jobs, Australian industry, Australian consumers, and Australian values.”
Mr Albanese suggested Australia was prepared to tough it out and would not be bending to every American demand.
“That is why we have been crystal-clear with the United States about what is not up for negotiation.’’ he said.
“The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme is an Australian institution. A proud Labor creation that my government has built on. The investments we’re making in the PBS mean that life-saving and life-changing medicines which would otherwise cost people thousands of dollars will be no more than $25 a script.
“Under Labor – that will never be up for negotiation. We don’t want our health system to be more American, we only want it to be more Australian. The same is true for agriculture.
“We have made it very clear to the United States that we will not compromise on biosecurity.
“We will not weaken the measures that protect our farmers and producers from the risks of disease or contamination.
“Another key point was technology. Our Government stands by our media bargaining code. We strongly support local content in streaming services so Australian stories stay on Australian screens.
“And we have no intention of repealing the world-leading legislation that we passed with overwhelming support that set the minimum age for social media at 16. That policy is about what’s best for Australian children and Australian parents. These are our priorities. We stand up for Australia’s interests.”
