Social media has been ignited by penguin memes following President Donald Trump’s decision to impose a 10% tariff on Heard and McDonald Islands.

Heard Island and McDonald Islands, an external territory of Australia, rank among the most isolated locations on the planet.

This fact makes the imposition of tariffs on such remote territories seem absurd, sparking comedic reactions.

US President Donald Trump announced sweeping reciprocal tariffs on dozens of nations, including Pakistan, citing years of what he called unfair trade practices.

They can only be reached after a challenging two-week boat trip from Perth, and no human has reportedly visited the islands in almost a decade.

The islands are home to various species of penguins.

The contrast between the serious nature of tariffs and the playful imagery of penguins has led to a wave of memes, showcasing penguins in humorous scenarios related to trade, taxes, and the absurdity of the situation.

Memes surged on X as people questioned the reasoning behind imposing taxes on a land filled with ice and penguins.

“The penguin memes are a way for people to cope with the anxiety,” a social media researcher at Columbia University, Ellen Wu, said. “It’s humour born out of economic confusion and policy fatigue.”