Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Trump Dragged After Imposing Steep Tariffs On Two Uninhabited Islands Near Antarctica

Donald Trump
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

President Trump announced his steep tariffs on Wednesday, which include 10% tariffs on Heard and McDonald Islands—except that no humans even live there.

Donald Trump invited widespread mockery after imposing tariffs not just on some of America's biggest trading partners—but on uninhabited islands as well, namely the Heard and McDonald Islands, which had 10% tariffs levied against them despite having no actual human populations to speak of.

Trump, in his tariff announcement on Wednesday, declared April 2 as the day American industry "will be reborn," heralding what he called a "golden age of America." He emphasized that the new tariffs would not only counter foreign tariffs but also address what he described as "nonmonetary" trade barriers, including currency manipulation and "pollution havens."


Among other things, he warned foreign countries that "if you want your tariff rate to be zero, then you build your product right here in America.”

He outlined steep tariff rates, with China set to face a 34 percent tariff, the European Union 20 percent, Japan 24 percent, and India 26 percent. On top of these, he announced a universal baseline tariff of 10 percent, meaning that some countries, like China, could effectively face a 44 percent tariff when combined with existing duties.

Strangely, the Heard and McDonald Islands were included as well, despite being uninhabited by humans, accessible only by a multi-day boat journey from Australia, and primarily home to penguins and seals—though the region does support a fishery. They are among the remotest places on Earth and are accessible only via a two-week boat voyage from the western Australian city of Perth.

Donald Trump's tariff list showing 10% tariffs on the Heard and McDonald Islands@RapidResponse47/X

You can see just how remote how they are by checking out the map below.

Map showing location of Heard and McDonald IslandsWikipedia Creative Commons

It was so ridiculous that people couldn't help but point out the utter cluelessness of Trump, let alone his administration.


Heard Island and McDonald Islands were among several Australian "external territories" listed separately in the tariff plan.

These territories, while part of Australia and not self-governing, have a distinct relationship with the federal government. Other external territories on the White House list included the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Christmas Island, and Norfolk Island.

Notably, Norfolk Island—home to just 2,188 people and located 1,600 km (1,000 miles) northeast of Sydney—was hit with a 29% tariff, a full 19 percentage points higher than the rest of Australia.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese criticized Trump’s decision to impose a 10 percent tariff on Australia, calling it “not the act of a friend.” However, he ruled out implementing reciprocal tariffs against the United States.

More from News/political-news

Val Kilmer
Rob Kim/Getty Images

Val Kilmer Shared A Hauntingly Beautiful Painting As His Final Instagram Post—And Fans Are Emotional

On Tuesday, the world learned of the passing of actor and artist Val Kilmer from pneumonia. He was 65.

Kilmer's acting career was in its heyday in the 1980s and '90s when he starred alongside Hollywood heavyweights in films like Top Gun, Willow, The Doors, Thunderheart, Tombstone, and Batman Forever.

Keep ReadingShow less
Chappell Roan
Marc Piasecki/WireImage/Getty Images

Chappell Roan Sparks Debate After Claiming She Doesn't Know Any Parents Who Are 'Happy' They Have Kids

Pop singer Chappell Roan has been transparent over the years about being diagnosed with severe depression, being chronically unhappy, and being a childfree feminist.

It's ironic in a way that she's now facing backlash for her claim on the Call Her Daddy podcast that no parents are happy, especially those with younger children.

Keep ReadingShow less
Cory Booker
Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images

Cory Booker Reveals How He Refrained From Using Bathroom During His 25-Hour Speech

In remarks to reporters, Democratic New Jersey Senator Cory Booker shared how he managed not to have to use the bathroom during his record-breaking 25-hour speech on the Senate floor—and it's pretty extreme.

Booker made history Tuesday, delivering the longest speech ever recorded in the Senate, breaking the late Senator Strom Thurmond’s 1957 filibuster against civil rights.

Keep ReadingShow less
Barack Obama
Scott Olson/Getty Images

Obama Offers Iconic Reaction After He Accidentally Photobombed A Family's Photos In DC

If you try to take nice pictures in a scenic location, there will likely be people wandering through the background of your photos, because everyone else will also be enjoying the scenery.

In most cases, people try to time the shots between passersby or edit them out afterwards, but after a photoshoot in Washington D.C., one family will definitely not be editing out the accidental guest walking among the cherry blossoms and the Washington Monument.

Keep ReadingShow less
children sitting on floor in classroom
CDC on Unsplash

Historical 'Facts' People Learned In School That Are Actually Not True

The phrase "history is written by the victors" is a common saying. It's often attributed to Winston Churchill, although there's no proof he said those exact words.

It points out that those who win conflicts shape how those events are remembered, recorded, and taught to future generations, leading to biased historical accounts and warped perceptions.

Keep ReadingShow less