According to internal assessments by a major Apple and Nintendo supplier, game consoles in the United States will continue to face a staggering 145% tariff on goods imported from China. This information, revealed in an assessment seen by Nikkei Asia, indicates that even highly anticipated consoles like the Nintendo Switch 2 are unlikely to receive exemptions from these tariffs. This comes in stark contrast to recent reports suggesting that certain tech goods, such as PCs and smartphones, might be spared from the additional levy.
The ongoing tariff situation is directly linked to statements made by US President Trump, who has confirmed that Chinese-made electronics will not be exempt from tariffs but will instead be categorized differently. This means that hardware manufactured in China—including popular gaming consoles like Sony's PlayStation 5 and PC technology from major companies such as Apple, HP, Dell, and Lenovo—will likely continue to bear the burden of these tariffs.
In response to these tariffs, key technology suppliers have been accelerating their efforts to move production outside of China. However, as it stands, the majority of Nintendo Switch 2 consoles are still manufactured in China. This situation is fluid and evolving, and updates will be provided as new information becomes available.
The effects of the tariff situation have already begun to ripple through the gaming community, evidenced by the delay in Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders. Originally scheduled for April 9, the pre-orders have now been pushed back to May 8 in the US. Despite the pre-order delay, the console's official launch date remains unchanged at June 5.
Contributing editor Rob Fahey has expressed concerns that these tariffs represent an "industry nightmare." However, he notes that digital games seem to be safe from the impact of these tariffs, at least for the time being. As the situation develops, gamers and industry professionals alike will be watching closely.
For the latest updates on tariffs, gaming consoles, and the Nintendo Switch 2, stay tuned as we continue to monitor this rapidly changing landscape.
