The Nintendo Switch 2 may be headed for a price increase in the U.S. following the Trump administration’s aggressive new trade tariffs, with Chinese-made consoles potentially subject to a 145% import tax. While Nintendo has expanded manufacturing operations into countries like Vietnam and Cambodia, the majority of its production remains in China, making the upcoming console vulnerable to these escalating tariffs.
Nintendo Switch 2 Pricing and Pre-Order Delays
After the Switch 2’s official reveal, Nintendo confirmed a $449 base price in the U.S., with a $499 limited-edition Mario Kart World bundle. While pre-orders have launched in Europe and Australia, North American pre-orders were delayed from their original April 9 schedule due to ongoing tariff concerns.
Despite the delay, Nintendo confirmed that the Switch 2 will launch worldwide on June 5, raising questions about how these tariffs might affect pricing post-launch.
The Manufacturing Breakdown
Nintendo’s supply chain is still heavily dependent on China. Although some units are produced in Vietnam and Cambodia, a new report from Nikkei Asia warns that China-made Switch 2 units could face a 145% tariff under the Trump administration’s revised policies. Vietnam-made consoles would be subject to a reduced 10% tariff, thanks to a temporary 90-day pause on further increases.
The exemption period ends in early July, just a month after the console’s launch, adding pressure to Nintendo’s logistics and pricing strategy.
Vietnam’s Role in Mitigating Tariffs
Over one million Switch 2 units manufactured in Vietnam were already shipped to the U.S. in January and February, before the new tariff plans took effect. Nintendo appears to be leveraging this head start to mitigate early impacts, but future shipments might not be as fortunate if exemptions end and production remains centered in China.
Despite some exemptions for smartphones and other electronics, the Switch 2 doesn’t currently qualify, leaving its pricing future uncertain. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick hinted that additional tariffs could apply to currently exempt products in the coming months.
What This Means for U.S. Gamers
The looming threat of a 145% tariff could raise the Nintendo Switch 2 price in the U.S. significantly, potentially adding hundreds of dollars depending on import origin. If Nintendo is forced to absorb the extra cost or delay additional stock shipments, gamers could face shortages — or much higher prices — shortly after launch.
The Nintendo Switch 2 stands at a critical crossroads. As the U.S.-China tariff conflict continues to evolve, so does the pricing outlook for one of the year’s most anticipated gaming consoles. Whether Nintendo can pivot manufacturing fast enough or shield consumers from the cost remains to be seen.
for now, American gamers might want to grab pre-orders quickly — if and when they reopen — before tariff deadlines kick in.
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