Nintendo was set to announce the release of its long-awaited Switch 2 console on April 2. However, the celebration was short-lived as President Trump announced tariffs that would affect trade with Vietnam, where the new console was manufactured. This led to a delay in pre-orders and a potential price increase.
The uncertainty of Mr. Trump’s tariffs has caused chaos in the tech industry and raised questions about the future market for consumer technology. The delay in tariffs announced on Wednesday gives Nintendo 90 days to increase production and stock up on inventory in the US.
Despite the chaos, Nintendo is not the only tech company facing challenges due to the tariffs. Apple and other console makers are also considering raising prices on their products. The cost of consumer tech products is expected to rise, with much anticipation around new releases like the Switch 2.
Gaming companies rely on both hardware and software sales, so any price increase could lead to consumer backlash. Nintendo is currently evaluating how to handle the potential cost increase without turning away customers. Analysts suggest that the company may wait for the tariff chaos to settle before announcing a new price.
Despite the challenges, Nintendo has already shipped a significant number of units to the US, which are immune to tariffs if they are reinstated. The broader impact of the tariffs on the tech industry remains to be seen as other companies, including Apple, are also affected.
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