Smartphones and laptops won’t go up in price, but Nintendo Switch 2 will: the U.S. imposes tariffs on gaming consoles
By ForGeeks US President Donald Trump has announced that smartphones, laptops and other consumer devices will be excluded from a new list of tariffs. However, gaming consoles, including the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2, were not included under this exclusion.
What happened: selective tariff exclusions
According to a notice released by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, a number of products will be exempt from the 10 percent global import tariff and a separate Chinese tax. These measures, previously announced by Trump, could significantly raise electronics prices, especially because of the reliance on Chinese components and assembly.
These measures, which were previously announced by Trump, could raise the price of electronics significantly.
It was previously estimated that the cost of smartphones and laptops could rise by hundreds of dollars, but the exemptions have kept the worst from happening. However, gaming consoles and accessories, including future releases like the Switch 2, didn’t get an exemption.
Consoles under attack: no explanation why
Despite similarities in the production chain, game consoles have not been exempted from tariffs. The reasons for this decision are not explained. However, much of the production of consoles takes place in China, Vietnam and Japan, countries that are particularly affected by the new tariffs.
In the latest decision, China is subject to a 54% tariff, Vietnam to 46% and Japan to 24%. That means that electronics imported into the U.S. from those countries could rise sharply in price.
Impact on Nintendo: Switch 2 could get more expensive
Since Nintendo Switch 2’s main production has been moved to Vietnam – in an attempt to avoid Chinese tariffs – the company may now face a similar problem. A 46 percent tariff on Vietnamese imports could significantly affect the device’s final price in the U.S. market.
A 46 percent tariff on Vietnamese imports could significantly affect the final price of the device in the U.S.
Nintendo has not yet officially commented on the possible consequences, but analysts believe that either the Switch 2 will be priced higher in the U.S., or the company will be forced to seek alternative production chains or reduce its margins.
