‘We Don’t Even Trade With Your Country’: Penguin Memes Flood X As Trump Tariffs Remote Island With No Humans

US President Donald Trump’s decision to impose reciprocal tariffs on several dozen countries has met with criticism from many nations but this particular remote island has caught the attention of many social media users. 

Among the long list of countries that have been slapped with the tariffs include the Heard and McDonald Islands. 

A 10 per cent tariff has been imposed on all exports from this barren sub-Antarctic Australian territory without a human population, but four different species of penguin, as per an AFP report. 

‘We Don’t Even Trade With Your Country’ 

Social media platform X is abuzz with penguin memes since the move was announced by Trump. One viral image shows a penguin in place of Ukrainain President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office durnig the recent spat with Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance. 

“But guys, we don’t even trade with your country”

“Shut the fuck up penguin. Did you even say thank you? We’re tired of you taking advantage of hard working American patriots” pic.twitter.com/FLi1B1k8rH

— litquidity (@litcapital) April 3, 2025

In another post, a video was shared by a social media user where some penguins have a backpack attacked to their backs with caption: “Penguins leaving Heard Island and McDonald Island. is THIS what you voted for?” 

penguins leaving Heard Island and McDonald Island. is THIS what you voted for? pic.twitter.com/yqCMAx9zGa

— ᐱ ᑎ ᑐ ᒋ ᕮ ᒍ (@Andr3jH) April 3, 2025

A third post shows Trump addressing a colony of penguins saying they are “going to pay for what they did to our country.” 

The penguins are going to pay for what they did to our country. Believe me. 🥴 pic.twitter.com/8142XsMGN8

— Hoodlum 🇺🇸 (@NotHoodlum) April 3, 2025

Texac Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett expressed her shock saying, “So let me get this straight—Trump hit places with NO people and NO trade with the U.S. with tariffs… and it’s literally just penguins out there? PENGUINS???” 

So let me get this straight—Trump hit places with NO people and NO trade with the U.S. with tariffs… and it’s literally just penguins out there? PENGUINS???

— Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (@RepJasmine) April 3, 2025

“I’m building a wall around Antarctica and the Penguins are gonna pay for it.” pic.twitter.com/cjS9MaKsM6

— Hoodlum 🇺🇸 (@NotHoodlum) April 3, 2025

Anthony Scaramucci, who was Trump’s former communications chief for 11 days in his first term and is now a vocal critic, joked on X: “The penguins have been ripping us off for years,”

Not Just One Instance 

However, the Heard and McDonald Islands are not just one case. Trump’s move to impose a 29 per cent tariff on Norfolk Island, a tiny Australian territory in the Pacific with a population of a little over 2,000 humans has also puzzled people. 

Falkland Islands in Britain —  home to one million penguins — has been hit by 41 per cent exports while the UK faces only 10 per cent.