Nintendo has recently announced a postponement of pre-orders for the Switch 2 in the United States. This decision comes just two days after the White House rolled out new tariffs that will affect trade with many countries around the globe. According to Nintendo’s statement to Tom’s Hardware, “Pre-orders for Nintendo Switch 2 in the U.S. won’t kick off on April 9, 2025, as we’re currently assessing potential tariff impacts and evolving market conditions.” They assured fans that they’ll provide updates on pre-order timings later on. Despite this hiccup, the anticipated launch date of June 5, 2025, remains unchanged.
The announcement of the Switch 2 stirred quite a buzz on Wednesday, pegging its launch price at $449. Since Nintendo manufactures the console in China and Vietnam, they could, theoretically, bypass the heavy U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports by shipping units produced in Vietnam to North American shores. This strategy is an attempt to sidestep the hefty levies that President Trump imposed earlier this year on Chinese goods.
The timing of the nearly universal tariffs from the White House seemed to catch Nintendo off guard, coming hot on the heels of their Switch 2 reveal. Trump’s “Liberation Day” announcement significantly upped the U.S. tariffs on goods from China to 54%, unexpectedly slapping Vietnam with a 46% duty as well.
This tariff shift might force Nintendo to reconsider the planned price tag, given the steep Vietnamese goods tax hike. It’s a challenging situation for both Nintendo and eager buyers alike since the new console is already set to be 50% pricier than the original Switch. However, there’s still a glimmer of hope that Nintendo can stick to the initially proposed price when sales begin on June 5.
Observations from Vietnamese media suggest that Trump’s 46% duty on Vietnam might be a strategic play to coax them into negotiations. Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister, Ho Duc Phoc, is expected to visit the U.S. soon, and any concessions from Hanoi could potentially lead to reduced tariff rates.
Still, if the hefty 46% import duties stick around by the June 5 launch, Nintendo may be left with no option but to increase the Switch 2’s retail price in the U.S., inevitably passing these costs onto consumers. This scenario would undoubtedly disappoint Nintendo’s dedicated fanbase, yet Nintendo isn’t alone in facing this tariff turmoil. Many companies globally are grappling with similar challenges in light of these sweeping trade policies.
