Nintendo recently hit pause on the pre-orders for the Switch 2 in the United States. This decision came right after a wide-reaching announcement of international tariffs by the White House, which impacted most countries globally. Nintendo conveyed to Tom’s Hardware that, “Pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 in the U.S. will no longer begin on April 9, 2025, as we need to assess the potential effects of these tariffs and the changing market conditions. We will provide updates on the new timeline at a later date. However, the launch date remains set for June 5, 2025.”
The much-anticipated Switch 2 was announced with a price tag of $449. As it stands, the console is manufactured in China and Vietnam. This situation leaves some wiggle room for Nintendo, as it could potentially shift production to Vietnam for North American markets to bypass the heavy tariffs imposed by the U.S. on goods from China earlier this year.
Nevertheless, the timing of the White House’s tariff announcement couldn’t have been worse for Nintendo, arriving just hours after they unveiled the Switch 2. The new “Liberation Day” policies have escalated U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports to a hefty 54%, with a surprising 46% duty now on goods from Vietnam as well.
Given this scenario, Nintendo may have to reconsider the price point of the Switch 2. The tariffs are a significant blow because the new device is already pegged at a price that’s 50% higher than the original Switch. Despite these challenges, there’s hope that Nintendo might still manage to stick to the original price by the time it hits the market on June 5.
Speculation in Vietnamese media suggests that the 46% tariff could be a strategic move by Trump to bring Vietnam to the negotiating table. The Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister, Ho Duc Phoc, is scheduled to visit the U.S. soon, and potential negotiations could see the tariff reduced if compromises are reached.
However, if the 46% import duty persists until June 5, Nintendo might be left with no option but to pass this cost onto consumers, resulting in a higher retail price for the Switch 2 in the U.S. While this development might frustrate Nintendo enthusiasts, the company is not alone. Many businesses are scrambling to adjust to these sweeping tariffs.
