If you thought the price of the Nintendo Switch 2 was already high—something that has been widely discussed within the gaming community—we’ve got some bad news. It appears that Nintendo’s upcoming console may face a price increase due to external factors that are not directly related to the gaming industry. In fact, these factors have to do with Donald Trump and his trade policies.
Donald Trump and the Tariff Increases
Yesterday, the President of the United States, Donald Trump, announced a significant increase in tariffs worldwide, which he claims is part of an effort to boost the U.S. economy. This move has ignited an ongoing economic war that affects many countries, including some crucial ones for the gaming industry.
While the base tariff increase is set at 10%, some countries will see even more drastic hikes. Among those are two countries that play a vital role in the gaming supply chain: Vietnam and Cambodia.
Why the Price of the Nintendo Switch 2 Could Increase
Previously, Nintendo manufactured its console components in China. However, following Trump’s first term and his tariff increases on Chinese goods, Nintendo made the decision to shift its manufacturing and supply chain to Vietnam and Cambodia.
Unfortunately for Nintendo, Trump’s most recent announcement regarding tariffs indicates that both Vietnam and Cambodia will now face tariff hikes of 46% and 49%, respectively. This could significantly impact the production cost of the Nintendo Switch 2, and consequently, the retail price.
Despite Nintendo being aware of these potential changes, the company had already sought to minimize the impact by reducing the shipment of consoles from these countries to the U.S. However, the latest tariff increases have forced Nintendo to make a tough decision.
Source: USA Government
Nintendo Delays Pre-Orders in the United States
In response to these unexpected economic factors, Nintendo has decided to delay the pre-order date for the Nintendo Switch 2. Initially, pre-orders were set to open on April 9, but the company has now pushed the pre-order date to an undisclosed time. The goal behind this delay is to analyze the economic impact of the increased tariffs and how the market will evolve in response.
However, the Nintendo Switch 2’s release date remains unaffected and will still launch on June 5.
Source: Twitter
Could the Nintendo Switch Price Go Up?
Various industry experts have speculated that these new tariffs could lead to a price increase for the Nintendo Switch 2—a console that has already upset some consumers due to its initial pricing. Currently, the Nintendo Switch is priced at $449, and while the exact increase is still uncertain, Nintendo may have no choice but to pass on the additional production costs to customers.