Skip to Content Facebook Feature Image

Australian cafe imposes "tariffs" on US products to support Ukraine

China

China

China

Australian cafe imposes "tariffs" on US products to support Ukraine

2025-03-21 20:47 Last Updated At:22:47

An Australian cafe is imposing tariffs on its U.S.-made products, aiming at supporting the people of Ukraine.

Cafe on Queen, founded by Jan Giles and Adrian Sykes, is located in Binalong, a village with only 500 population in the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales.

The couple has added one and two Australian dollars to the sale of products made by American companies. They have also pulled other U.S. bottled beverages from their shelves.

The proceeds will go to the Australian Red Cross Ukraine appeal.

"Adrian, who is always thinking, which worries me sometimes, said we need to put a tariff on coke and Jim Beam and coke. And we need to remove the American products," Giles explained the idea.

"We could have used 'surcharge' but we used 'tariffs', and as it turned out they slapped 25 percent on Australian steel and aluminum. So I think it's appropriate," said Sykes.

The tariffs are in response to a fiery exchange took place earlier this month in the American Oval Office between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the ongoing Ukraine crisis.

"I couldn't believe that anybody would treat somebody else like that, let alone a head of state," Giles said.

They have also hung an American flag upside down.

"And I just felt America was in a state of distress and an upside down flag actually symbolizes a state of distress," said Sykes.

Surprisingly, the added charges haven't hurt business. And customers are supportive of the couple's actions.

"I think it is terrific," a customer said.

"We think it's wonderful," echoed another.

"Over the last weekend, we've sold more coke products than we've ever sold," Sykes said.

The cafe's stand has even inspired a local musician named Daniel Kelly, who wrote a song with lyrics writing "So we're slapping some tariffs on the USA until that school yard bully is made to go away."

The owners denied having any connection to Ukraine. Their stand is out of mere support for the people of Ukraine.

"No, there's no Ukrainian attachment there, familial attachment. But we just felt so sad for the Ukrainian people (and) it all comes from the way Zelensky was treated in the Oval Office," Giles said.

The couple says they'll continue the tariffs, and match any funds raised with their own money, until the message coming from this usually quite rural town is heard in the White House.

"This has all gone a little bit mad. I say it's gone feral, but my daughters tell me ' Dad, it's actually gone viral,'" Sykes was excited.

Australian cafe imposes "tariffs" on US products to support Ukraine

Australian cafe imposes "tariffs" on US products to support Ukraine

Australian cafe impose tariffs on US products to support Ukraine

Australian cafe impose tariffs on US products to support Ukraine

Next Article

China sends 11th group of medical experts to Ethiopia

2025-05-17 22:01 Last Updated At:22:37

A Chinese medical team left China on Saturday heading for Ethiopia, where they will offer technological assistance and support to talent development in the country's healthcare sector over the next 12 months.

The 14-member team includes experts in clinical medicine, medical technology, hospital administration, and logistical support.

Mainly selected from the First Hospital Affiliated to the Army Medical University (AMU) in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, the team members possess extensive experience in medical practice and management.

During the mission, the experts will help the country's military hospitals to enhance medical service capacity, promote the application of new technologies, strengthen hospital operations, train professional personnel, and support the establishment of healthcare management systems, thereby contributing to the improvement of local medical services.

"I feel deeply honored by this mission, and I'm fully aware of the responsibility it carries. We are committed to carrying forward the spirit of China's overseas medical teams, which features tenacity, dedication, commitment to saving lives, and love that knows no borders, and will apply our skills for the benefit of the Ethiopian military and civilians," said team member Guo Hao from the AMU.

Since 2015, the AMU hospital has dispatched 11 batches totaling more than 100 medical experts to Ethiopia.

Their efforts gave strong support to achieving notable progress in medical facility construction, and technological and talent development in the country's healthcare sector.

China sends 11th group of medical experts to Ethiopia

China sends 11th group of medical experts to Ethiopia

Recommended Articles