Nintendo has decided to postpone the start of pre-orders for the Switch 2 in the United States. This decision came shortly after the White House unveiled a series of tariffs affecting many countries worldwide.
In a statement shared with us via email, Nintendo explained, “We won’t be kicking off pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 in the U.S. on April 9, 2025, as planned. We need to evaluate the impact of these tariffs and the shifting market conditions. We’ll provide updates on the timing at a later date, though our launch date of June 5, 2025, remains unchanged.”
Announced just last Wednesday, the Switch 2 is priced at $449. The consoles are manufactured in China and Vietnam. While the U.S. had previously hinted at major import duties against China, Vietnam was still an option for producing consoles destined for North America, sidestepping the heightened tariffs imposed on China earlier this year.
Nintendo was likely blindsided by the sweeping tariffs announced by the White House barely hours after the Switch 2 was officially introduced. The U.S. increased tariffs on Chinese imports to 54%, and surprisingly, slapped a 46% tariff on Vietnamese goods too.
This drastic shift means Nintendo’s pricing might have to change since the extra costs for Vietnamese goods have skyrocketed. It’s a shame for both the company and potential buyers, as the new device is already 50% pricier than the original Switch. Many are holding out hope that Nintendo can maintain the initially announced price at its June 5 release.
Meanwhile, there are whispers among Vietnamese media that the 46% tariff could be a strategic maneuver by Trump to bring Vietnam into negotiations. Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc is scheduled to visit the U.S. soon, and if the talks with Hanoi prove fruitful for the U.S., we might see those high tariff rates drop.
However, if the hefty 46% tax on Vietnamese imports persists by June 5, Nintendo might have to adjust the console’s retail price in the States to accommodate these costs, disappointing many of their loyal fans. Yet, Nintendo isn’t alone in this; due to the broad scope of the tariffs, many companies might find themselves in a similar predicament.
