The Trump administration announced a list of countries soon to be affected by new U.S. tariffs, which includes several territories so remote they are uninhabited by humans. On Wednesday, President Trump declared a baseline 10% tariff on all goods imported into the United States, alongside higher "reciprocal" tariffs for several trade partners. These tariffs vary, with Cambodia facing 49%, China at 34%, and the European Union at 20%.
These tariffs, set to begin on Saturday and Wednesday, have caused unrest in domestic and international markets, encouraged talk of retaliation from affected countries, and raised concerns about the potential for a global trade conflict. The tariffs have also put a spotlight on little-known places such as Heard Island and McDonald Islands and Jan Mayen, mainly because these locations are uninhabited.
The White House has not answered NPR’s inquiries regarding the inclusion of territories like these on the tariff list, as these areas do not maintain active trade systems with the U.S.
Heard Island and McDonald Islands
These islands, an external territory of Australia composed of volcanic subantarctic islands, are subjected to a 10% reciprocal tariff. Despite this, the islands reported no trade activity with the U.S. in the previous year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, and lack a human population. Situated in the southwest Indian Ocean, approximately halfway between Australia and South Africa, these islands are home to a plethora of marine wildlife, including seals, albatrosses, and penguins. UNESCO has declared the islands a World Heritage site, highlighting their undisturbed natural environment. Scientific expeditions occur there every three years, lasting only a few months, leaving the area to be occasionally visited by tourists or for surveillance patrols. The islands’ distant location and challenging journey deter frequent human visits.
Svalbard and Jan Mayen
Both locations, which also have no recorded trade with the U.S. according to Census Bureau data, face a 10% tariff. These Norwegian territories, found in the Arctic Ocean, are often grouped together due to their proximity and statistical designation by the International Organization for Standardization, although they remain separate jurisdictions. Jan Mayen is uninhabited save for military personnel managing its facilities. The island covers about 144 square miles and features Beerenberg, the northernmost volcano in the world, last active in 1985. Svalbard, in contrast, houses about 2,500 residents and serves as a remote habitat for polar bears. The visitors, aware of the area’s wildlife, are equipped accordingly for their safety.
British Indian Ocean Territory
The British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), another target of the tariffs, includes a group of islands situated in the Indian Ocean, midway between Africa and Indonesia. The U.S. maintains a military presence on Diego Garcia, the archipelago’s only inhabited island, which supports military operations in the Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf regions. The island houses around 2,400 military and affiliated personnel. Historically, in the 1960s and ’70s, the U.S. and U.K. evicted the indigenous Chagossian population to establish a military base. Mauritius claims sovereignty over the Chagos Islands and has been negotiating with Britain to reclaim oversight, with plans for the U.K. to lease the base for 99 years.
