Canadian Couple on Norfolk Island Faces Unexpected US Tariffs Due to Administrative Oversight

Jesse Schiller and Rachel Evans adapt their business to a 29% tariff designation, highlighting trade policy flaws and resilience on the remote island.

• Norfolk Island, with a population of 2,000 and no direct exports to the US, was unexpectedly assigned a 29% tariff under Trump-era trade policies.
• Jesse Schiller and Rachel Evans, owners of Kooshoo, a sustainable hair accessory brand, are likely the only business on the island impacted by the tariffs.
• The couple's goods, manufactured in Japan and India, are subject to slightly lower tariffs of 24% and 26%, respectively, instead of the designated 29%.
• Speculation suggests that Norfolk Island's inclusion in the high tariff list may stem from customs paperwork errors confusing it with other locations named Norfolk.
• The case underscores the lack of nuance in global trade policies and showcases the couple's efforts to sustain their US-dependent business despite the challenges.

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