Trump’s decision to impose a 145% tariff on China-made electronics is a major blow to U.S. companies like Apple.
There was brief relief over the weekend when the U.S. government announced that certain tech products, like smartphones and laptops, would be exempt from the new tariffs.
But that changed days later when Trump clarified that this wouldn’t be the case. Instead, the Chinese electronics will reportedly be moved to a different tariff “bucket” (via BBC). As a result, electronics made in China are still on the hook for higher import costs.
Even if the exemption for certain tech products like smartphones and laptops remains in effect, game consoles reportedly weren’t included.
Game consoles like Nintendo Switch 2 still face a 145% tariff
Nikkei Asia has reportedly seen an internal assessment memo from a major “Apple and Nintendo supplier,” which states that game consoles are still subject to the 145% tariff. This means devices like the Switch 2 could see a significant price increase in the U.S.
What makes matters worse is that most of the Switch 2 consoles are manufactured in China. A smaller number is produced in Vietnam, but not enough to avoid the tariff entirely. Sony also relies on Chinese manufacturing for a significant portion of its PlayStation 5 production.
In response, Nintendo has paused pre-orders for the Switch 2 in the U.S. and Canada. The company originally planned to open orders on April 9, but those plans are now on hold with no updated timeline.
The Switch 2 was announced with a $499 price tag, but it’s unclear whether Nintendo will stick to that price if tariffs drive up production and shipping costs.
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