U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Howard Lutnik, stated that the uninhabited Heard and McDonald Islands, located near Antarctica and home to penguins, have been subject to U.S. tariffs.
According to him, this decision was made in order to close potential loopholes that other countries could use to bypass trade restrictions. In an interview with CBS News, Lutnik clarified that the imposition of tariffs is aimed at ensuring no country is left unchecked. Washington is determined to put an end to the “meaningless loopholes” that third countries could exploit to bypass previously imposed tariffs.
The new tariffs apply to a group of uninhabited volcanic islands near Antarctica, covered in glaciers, which are home to penguins. These islands are located far from civilization, and one can only reach them by boat from Perth, Australia, a journey that takes two weeks. People haven’t visited these islands in nearly 10 years.
The U.S. president’s announcement affected countries worldwide, with a few exceptions, including Russia. The White House clarified that no new tariffs were imposed on Russia due to ongoing negotiations to end the war in Ukraine.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the tariffs as “a serious blow to the global economy” and stated that the European Union is prepared to respond to these measures.
