Tariffs will apply to all devices, including consoles like the PS5, Switch 2, and Xbox.
There have been reports that some electronic devices, including cell phones, may be exempt from President Trump’s slew of tariffs imposed on countries worldwide. Many people in the gaming business are worried about how tariffs may affect new software and platforms. To evaluate the effects of the tariffs, Nintendo has decided to postpone the U.S. launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders in anticipation of the release of its next system.
The wide variety of markups on imported goods has sparked concerns about possible price hikes for other consoles, with the PS5 Pro in particular drawing attention to this issue. According to a new study, some goods will be shielded from the new taxes.
There have been reports that some electronic devices, including cell phones, may be exempt from President Trump’s slew of tariffs imposed on countries throughout the world. As the newly inaugurated commander-in-chief has made enormous changes across numerous industries, the first few months of Donald Trump’s second term as president of the United States have been incredibly busy. With tariffs affecting everything from groceries to gadgets, President Trump’s new set of tariffs has been one of the most talked-about early topics. One industry, though, may be exempt from the price hikes for the time being.
A notice recently released by U.S. Customs and Border Protection has verified that certain products will be exempt from the duties, according to CNN. Products entering the country after April 5 will not be subject to the newly enacted tariffs’ increased pricing due to an exemption that will include gadgets such as cell phones, computer monitors, and more. Because of the shift, tech giants like Apple and Microsoft will be allowed to keep developing and selling normally in places like China, where they manufacture most of their components.
Already worried about the rising cost of new consoles, the gaming sector may feel the effects of the recently passed exclusions to Trump’s next wave of tariffs. With the Switch 2’s base console pricing scheduled to begin at US$450, many fans have already voiced their disapproval of Nintendo’s latest device. As with the new Nintendo system, developers increased costs for new games. For example, Mario Kart World, one of the top launch titles for the Switch 2, costs $80.
Worries regarding the entertainment industry and video games as a whole have been voiced in response to the ongoing tariffs. Concerned that the tariffs would have a real and detrimental effect on gaming, driving up the pricing of consoles and games, the ESA issued a statement regarding them not long ago.
Sony and Nintendo, two Japanese developers, both witnessed significant drops in stock prices as a result of the new levies. Hopefully, the new exemptions will make video games more financially accessible, both in the United States and elsewhere.
