Donald Trump on Thursday announced the tariff US will impose on the countries. While the move adds to economic burden of most of the countries, what caught the internet’s attention was America announcing a 10 per cent tariff on goods from uninhabited volcanic islands near Antarctica, which are home only to glaciers, penguins, and seals, in addition to mainland Australia.
The news created a sensation online, especially X, with netizens flooding the social media platform with hilarious memes featuring Trump and penguins. While some showed penguins protesting by holding banners with ‘No Tarifs’ signs, many featured Trump standing alongside the penguins.
One user shared a video of penguins walking with a backpack. The caption read, “Penguins leaving Heard Island and McDonald Island. is THIS what you voted for?”
Another meme shows an angry animated penguin holding a gun, with the image reading “Peace Was Never An Option”.
Wow my feed is full of penguins pic.twitter.com/L33ldLTGNX
— Darth Dawg Jnr (@bathdawgNAFO) April 3, 2025
Another meme featured many penguins holding placards and opposing tariffs with a different spelling of tariff on each card.
I stand with the penguins of Heard Island and McDonald Islands. pic.twitter.com/Dfyd5TBvr3
— ᛒᚱᚢᛊᛖ (@velonoir) April 3, 2025
The penguins are pissed about their 10% tariff 🐧🐧🐧 pic.twitter.com/A4zU5CkVzX
— Septimus Brown (@SeptimusBrown) April 3, 2025
Comedy of the century🤡
Trade war with #penguins 🐧?#Trump hits 10% tariff on Heard and McDonald Islands near Antarctica with 0% human population.So Penguins Need To Pay With Fish and Shrimp They Got?😂 https://t.co/AYFkaahuAq pic.twitter.com/kJhUBRz6JO
— ZIN… (@Ram_Zin_) April 3, 2025
— Binks🇨🇦 (@BinkyBaxter1) April 3, 2025
Get ready for the trade war, PENGUINS!
U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. was imposing “reciprocal tariffs” on a collection of Antarctic islands that are not inhabited by humans.
Produced by @XHNews pic.twitter.com/vWphcIJaHu
— Pacific Dialogue (@Pacific_Dialog) April 3, 2025