Nintendo has hit the pause button on pre-orders for the Switch 2 in the U.S., a decision stemming from a wave of tariffs announced by the White House that affects much of the globe. A spokesperson from Nintendo relayed to Tom’s Hardware that, “We will not begin U.S. pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 on April 9, 2025, as initially planned. This delay gives us time to evaluate the tariffs’ impact and shifting market conditions. Stay tuned for updates. For now, the release date remains June 5, 2025.”
Nintendo’s recent unveiling revealed that the Switch 2 will hit the market at $449. The console’s production predominantly occurs in China and Vietnam. Despite previous U.S. threats to heavily tax Chinese imports, Nintendo could initially plan to leverage Vietnamese production to dodge those costs. However, the surprise nearly worldwide tariffs from the White House, issued shortly after the Switch 2’s debut, have overturned those strategies.
President Trump’s “Liberation Day” proclamation hiked tariffs on Chinese imports to 54%, and Vietnam was also unexpectedly slapped with a 46% duty. This development throws Nintendo’s pricing strategy into turmoil. Initially priced 50% higher than its predecessor, the new console’s sticker price is vulnerable to these unforeseen tariff hikes. Fans hope Nintendo can stick to its initial pricing come the June 5 launch.
There’s speculation among Vietnamese media that Trump’s sharp 46% tariff on Vietnamese goods might be a strategic move to lure Vietnam into political negotiations. As it happens, Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister, Ho Duc Phoc, is scheduled to visit the U.S. soon. If Hanoi offers some compromises, it might deflate the hefty tariffs.
If the substantial import duties on Vietnamese products persist until June 5, Nintendo may have no alternative but to pass these costs onto American buyers, potentially raising the price tag for the Switch 2. This would disappoint many loyal fans looking forward to the new device. However, given the widespread reach of these tariffs, Nintendo isn’t alone in grappling with these challenges.
