President Donald Trump’s latest round of tariffs, announced on April 2, are making headlines—not just for their economic impact, but for the geography they cover. Among the list of affected regions is the Heard and McDonald Islands, a group of uninhabited, sub-Antarctic volcanic islands that are home primarily to penguins and seals.
The islands, situated over 2,000 miles southwest of Perth, Australia, are officially Australian territory—which technically subjects them to the 10% U.S. import tax now levied on certain goods. The catch? There are no human residents, just wildlife and icy winds.
The odd mention quickly caught attention online. Congressman Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) joined the fun on X, posting:
“BREAKING: Residents on Heard and McDonald Islands Unfazed by Trump’s Tariffs (they are penguins).”
The tweet, accompanied by a photo of curious penguins, quickly went viral.
The White House offered a brief explanation: since the islands fall under Australia’s jurisdiction, they are subject to the broader tariff policies. While this is technically accurate, the move left many bemused, wondering what exactly the U.S. is importing from a place that requires a permit just to visit.
The announcement, while highlighting the sweeping nature of the tariff policy, has also sparked amusement and confusion, with critics pointing to the inclusion as emblematic of the administration’s overreach or lack of nuance in its approach to international trade.
Meanwhile, the penguins remain, quite literally, unfazed.
