Antarctic Islands Face More Than Penguins: Impact of Trump Tariffs

A couple of volcanic islands located in sub-Antarctic waters have unexpectedly become one of the least trade-friendly places on the planet, thanks to Donald Trump’s extensive tariffs.

When the U.S. slapped tariffs on these isolated territories of Australia, the internet was flooded with memes portraying their most famous inhabitants — king penguins.

However, scientists point out that there’s much more to the Heard and McDonald Islands. The region features not only active volcanoes but also a rich variety of seabirds, elephant seals, various mosses, grasses, and herbs.

Even for seasoned researchers, these islands, which are about 4,000 kilometers (2,500 miles) southwest of the Australian mainland, are incredibly wild and untamed.

They lack the infrastructure needed for any sort of trade industry, making it impossible for countries to send goods to the U.S. via re-exporting to exploit tariff loopholes.

No one has set foot on these islands since 2016, and entering requires special permission from the Australian government.

No Port, No Runway

“There’s absolutely no infrastructure or commercial activity there,” remarked Justine Shaw, a researcher who spent two months on Heard Island in 2003.

There are no ports or runways.

Access is generally limited to scientists arriving in inflatable boats or by helicopter from research ships anchored offshore. Shaw, a conservation scientist focused on preserving Antarctica’s environment, noted that the only evidence of human presence consists of the decaying remains of a research station that was abandoned in 1955 and has been relentlessly battered since by severe weather.

“It’s a genuine wilderness,” said Shaw.

Yet, it is also described as “the most extraordinary place,” featuring striking cliffs and glaciers that creak as they melt, filled with thousands of king penguins, elephant seals, and various sea birds. The terrestrial landscape is adorned with about 70 species of lichen alongside large leafy plants and cushion plants that look like vibrant green carpets.

‘Storms Raged’

Marine ecologist Andrew Constable led a 40-day research mission to Heard Island in 2004.

For several days, they were unable to land due to relentless stormy weather.

“There was a point where we had to keep the ship facing away from the shore for a solid nine days while the storms raged on. The waves were towering at about 10 meters (32 feet),” mentioned Constable. Despite that, he and his team managed to gather data about the island’s melting glaciers, observe the behavior of its seals and penguins, and assess the effects of human activity on this untouched ecosystem.

One major goal for future research expeditions is to evaluate how much of Heard Island’s icy landscape has transformed into greenery, according to Constable. Additionally, researchers will examine shifting food webs and take stock of marine debris and fishing equipment that washes ashore.

Given the minimal human interference, it remains one of the few locations where one can witness nature at its purest.