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The United States President, Donald Trump announced an increase in tariffs on imported goods and this does not spare even uninhabited islands.
In the recent tariff hike announced by President Trump, the Heard Island and McDonald Islands were slammed with 10% tariffs.
No tangible economic activities happen on these islands largely populated by elephant and fur seals, petrels, albatrosses and penguins.
However, beyond the tariffs, there are interesting facts about these islands that you should know.
But first, what are Trump’s tariffs?
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Trump Tariffs
Tariffs are taxes charged on goods imported from other countries. The U.S. President imposed tariffs on countries, including China, Mexico, Canada, Japan and Nigeria.
The tariff imposed on imported goods varies from country to country, and, governments of the affected countries are either reacting by imposing reciprocal high tariffs on goods from the U.S. or trying to engage with the White House for a possible reduction.
Meanwhile, accessible islands have economic value but the Heard Island and McDonald Islands have no significant contribution to the economy as they virtually have no business activity around them.
Unlike these barren islands, islands in Nigeria and other parts of the world, are not just tourism destinations, but also serve as ports and housing estates contributing to the country’s economy.
Now, let’s talk about the Island.
Heard Island and McDonald Islands
The Heard Island and McDonald are named after their discoverers: John Heard and William McDonald respectively.
Both are American sailors. Heard sighted Heard Island in 1853, while McDonald sighted McDonald Islands the following year.
The Islands are located in the Southern Ocean, about halfway between Australia and South Africa, and just over 1,600 kilometres from Antarctica.
The islands cover a landmass of 658,903 hectares – bigger than Lagos State, Nigeria – of which about 37,000 hectares is terrestrial, and the remainder marine.
McDonald Islands is much smaller, covering only 100 hectares; it is surrounded by several smaller rocks and islands.
Meanwhile, the only active sub-Antarctic volcanoes are found on these islands.
There is virtually no human presence on the islands, making it one of the world’s rare pristine island ecosystems. Only plants and animals that are naturally present on the islands are allowed to live and flourish.
Heard Island is covered by snow and glaciers, and it is also dominated by Big Ben (an active volcano rising to a height of 2,745 metres).
The Islands are a UNESCO site
The Heard Island and McDonald Islands area was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) is an agency of the United Nations promoting world peace through international cooperation in education, science, culture, and communication.
However, the islands are managed by the Australian government strictly as a nature reserve.
While Heard Island and McDonald Islands have no humans residing on them, reports are that, according to the tariff list by the U.S. government, a 10% tariff was imposed on these islands.
