Trump Tariffs Cause Delay in Nintendo Switch 2 Pre-Orders, But June 5 Launch Still Set

Nintendo has decided to hold off on opening pre-orders for the Switch 2 in the United States, following an unexpected announcement from the White House about widespread tariffs. This information comes just after the White House declared new tariffs that cover numerous countries.

“Nintendo will not begin U.S. pre-orders for the Switch 2 starting on April 9, 2025, as planned. The company is still analyzing the consequences of the tariffs and the changes in market dynamics,” according to an email from the company. “We’ll provide an updated timeline soon. However, the official release date of June 5, 2025, is still set.”

The announcement of the Switch 2 came earlier this week with a proposed price tag of $449. Given that Nintendo’s production occurs in China and Vietnam, it must navigate these new tariffs. Although previous U.S. duties on Chinese imports were steep, the company hoped to bypass these additional costs by shipping from Vietnam. But now, even Vietnam isn’t spared under the latest tariff hikes from Washington.

The White House has introduced tariffs nearly worldwide, surprising Nintendo with new duties right after the Switch 2 launched. The U.S. tariffs on Chinese items surged to 54%, and Vietnam unexpectedly faced a 46% duty as well.

As a result, Nintendo may have to revisit the newly set $449 pricing due to the tariff increase on Vietnamese products. This scenario is frustrating for both the company and eager buyers, especially since this new console is already priced half again as high as the original Switch. Despite this challenge, there’s some optimism at Nintendo about maintaining the originally announced price for its scheduled release date.

In Vietnam, some journalists suspect that the 46% tariff places pressure on the nation to enter further discussions with the U.S. Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister, Ho Duc Phoc, is heading to the U.S. soon, and there’s speculation that any negotiations might lead to reduced tariff rates if concessions are made.

However, should the 46% tariff for Vietnamese goods remain by the time June 5 approaches, consumers should prepare for a likely increase in the Switch 2’s price. This outcome would undoubtedly disappoint Nintendo enthusiasts, yet it’s a challenge Nintendo shares with other companies affected by the sweeping tariffs.