A distant French island with barely 6,000 residents has simply develop into probably the most tariffed place on earth—because of what critics are calling a “weird” commerce formulation from the White Home.
St. Pierre et Miquelon, a French abroad territory off the coast of Canada, now faces a 99% tariff on its exports to america, based on Australian political activist Drew Pavlou, who flagged the determine on X.
“The French abroad territory St. Pierre et Miquelon (inhabitants 5,800) now has the very best tariff charges on the planet at 99%,” Pavlou wrote. “Their exports are valued at simply $3.5 million {dollars} a 12 months. My guess as to what occurred right here is that they possible export a tiny quantity (like $100 ok price of lobsters) to America with out importing something in return. So the insane White Home algorithm (commerce deficit/imports) would have produced this insane 99% tariff determine. So unbelievably silly, incompetent and insane.”
The attention-watering price follows President Donald Trump’s sweeping announcement of reciprocal tariffs on April 2, a part of his pledge to reignite U.S. manufacturing and fight commerce imbalances. Trump known as the second “Liberation Day,” declaring, “2nd April 2025 will perpetually be remembered because the day American trade was reborn… and the day that we started to make America rich once more.”
Whereas most international locations will face a brand new baseline 10% tariff, about 60 “worst offenders” had been slapped with customized charges. India acquired a “discounted” 26% obligation. China and Cambodia had been hit with 54% and 49%, respectively. However the 99% price on St. Pierre et Miquelon has raised eyebrows for its sheer disproportion.
Social media reactions ranged from baffled to strategic. Trump has put 10% tariffs on the islands of Mayotte and Martinique and a large 73% on Réunion, with out realising these islands are 100% a part of France!” one consumer wrote.
One other consumer argued, “lol it’s the identical factor because the penguin island right here buddy, and it’s not silly or insane. France may make the most of this as a piece round to keep away from the tariffs… so there aren’t tariff secure havens for use.”
A 3rd added, “Exhibits the purpose is to create chaos not repair ‘commerce imbalances’. Chaos gives the extremely wealthy with limitless alternatives. Particularly with a.i advisors serving to them search them out.”
The transfer has left many questioning the logic—and the algorithm—behind Trump’s newest commerce coverage. For now, the tiny lobster-exporting island has develop into an unlikely poster youngster in a world financial shake-up.
