Overview
- Recent tariff adjustments by President Trump may enable Nintendo to maintain the Switch 2’s introductory price in the US market.
- Tariffs will be temporarily reduced to 10% for 90 days, with China facing heightened tariffs.
- As the Switch 2 is predominantly manufactured in Vietnam, these tariff reductions could lessen the financial burden on Nintendo.
In a significant development for gamers anticipating the Nintendo Switch 2, President Donald Trump recently disclosed that all reciprocal tariffs—excluding those on imports from China—will be cut to a rate of 10% for a span of 90 days. This easing of trade tensions could provide Nintendo with a crucial opportunity to offer the Switch 2 at its intended price in the United States, an option that appeared bleak as previous tariffs threatened to inflate costs.
Following the latest Nintendo Direct announcement, the price for the Switch 2 was set at $449.99 for the console alone, and $499.99 when bundled with Mario Kart World. However, shortly afterward, Trump introduced new tariffs affecting various countries, including Vietnam, the manufacturing hub for the Switch 2.
Trump Reduces Tariffs, Excluding China, for 90 Days
The recent tariff adjustments prompt questions about their potential impact on the Nintendo Switch 2’s pricing. Prior to the price announcement, Nintendo had expressed concerns regarding the implications of tariffs. Accordingly, the official pricing unveiled earlier this month may have already factored these global market changes into account. Since a majority of Switch 2 units are produced in Vietnam, where tariffs have plummeted from 47% to 10%, Nintendo might find it easier to maintain its current price points.
The ongoing trade war has also prompted Nintendo to postpone the Switch 2 pre-orders in the United States, which were originally set to begin on April 9. The timeline for reopening these pre-orders remains uncertain.
Ultimately, the effect of Trump’s tariffs on the Switch 2’s pricing remains ambiguous. Analysts have speculated that without the tariff adjustments, the console could reach a price point of approximately $529. However, the latest tariff reduction could substantially lessen this price impact. Gamers are advised to await further comments from Nintendo for clarity on this issue.