Nintendo recently pulled the brakes on pre-orders for the Switch 2 in the United States. This decision came on the heels of a new tariff announcement from the White House, which affects a large portion of nations globally. In a statement provided to Tom’s Hardware, Nintendo shared, “Due to the evaluation of potential tariff impacts and shifting market dynamics, the start of U.S. pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 has been postponed from April 9, 2025. We’ll provide further updates on timing in the future. However, the console’s launch date on June 5, 2025, remains unchanged.”
Just yesterday, Nintendo unveiled the Switch 2, setting its price at $449. The production of these consoles takes place in China and Vietnam. Despite past threats from the U.S. regarding hefty import duties on Chinese goods, Nintendo has the option of routing hardware produced in Vietnam to North America. This could effectively sidestep the increased tariffs announced by Trump earlier this year for Chinese products.
Nevertheless, Nintendo found itself unexpectedly blindsided by the sweeping global tariffs issued by the White House shortly after it announced the Switch 2. With Trump’s “Liberation Day” directive, tariffs on Chinese products surged to 54%, and, in a surprising turn, goods from Vietnam were slapped with a 46% duty.
This abrupt change likely means Nintendo’s stated price for the console will need adjusting, given the significant rise in tariffs on Vietnamese products. This is an unwelcome development for both the company and eager buyers, as the Switch 2 already carries a price tag 50% higher than its predecessor. Yet, there remains hope that Nintendo will secure a way to stick to its initially proposed price by the time the console hits shelves on June 5.
In Vietnam, some journalists are suggesting that Trump’s 46% tariff might just be a strategic move to coax the nation into negotiations. Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister, Ho Duc Phoc, is set to visit the U.S. soon, and if Hanoi can offer some concessions to Washington, there’s speculation that the tariff rates could be tempered.
Still, if the steeper tariffs on Vietnamese imports persist come June 5, Nintendo might find itself hiking up the console’s price for consumers in the U.S. This scenario would definitely disappoint many of its dedicated fans. But Nintendo is not alone; the sweeping tariffs will inevitably pose a similar challenge to numerous companies across different sectors.
