A lone flag bearer represents Norfolk Island at the 2023 Pacific Games. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Junior Maealasia
Norfolk Island sees its United States tariff as an acknowledgment of independence from Australia.
Norfolk Island, despite being an Australian territory, has been included on Trump's tariff list.
The territory has been given a 29 percent tariff, despite Australia getting only 10 percent.
It is home to just over 2000 people, sitting between New Zealand and Australia in the South Pacific
The islands' Chamber of Commerce said the decision by the US "raises critical questions about Norfolk Island's international recognition as an independent sovereign nation" and Norfolk Island not being part of Australia.
"The classification of Norfolk Island as distinct from Australia in this tariff decision reinforces what the Norfolk Island community has long asserted: Norfolk Island is not an extension of Australia."
Norfolk, previously had a significant level of autonomy from Australia, but was absorbed directly into the country's local government system in 2015.
The move angered many Norfolk Island people and inspired a number of campaigns including appeals to the United Nations and the International Court of Justice, by groups wishing to re-establish a measure of their autonomy, or to sue for independence.
The Chamber of Commerce has taken the tariff as a chance to reemphasis the islands' call for independence, including, "restoration of economic rights" and exclusive access to its exclusive economic zone.
The statement said Norfolk Island is a "sovereign Nation must have the ability to engage directly with international trade partners rather than through Australian officials who do not represent Norfolk Island's interests".
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told reporters on Thursday: "Norfolk Island has got a 29 precent tariff. I'm not quite sure that Norfolk Island, with respect to it, is a trade competitor with the giant economy of the United States."
"But that just shows and exemplifies the fact that nowhere on Earth is safe from this."
The base tariff 10 percent tariff is also included for Tokelau, a non-self-governing territory of New Zealand, with a population of only about 1500 people living on the atoll islands.
US President Donald Trump holds a signed executive order after announcing sweeping new tariffs at the White House on 2 April 2025. Photo: AFP / Saul Loeb
US 'don't really understand' - PANG
Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG) deputy coordinator Adam Wolfenden said he does not understand why Norfolk Island and Tokelau were added to the tariff list.
"I think this reflects the approach that's been taken, which seems very rushed and very divorced from a common sense approach," Wolfenden said.
"The inclusion of these territories, to me, is indicative that they don't really understand what they're doing."
In the Pacific, Fiji is set to be charged the most at 32 percent.
Nauru has been slapped with a 30 percent tariff, Vanuatu 22 percent, and other Pacific nations were given the 10 percent base tariff.
