Trump Tariffs Delay Pre-Orders for Nintendo’s Switch 2, But June 5 Launch Remains Unchanged

Nintendo has announced a delay in the pre-orders for the Switch 2 in the United States, as shared with Tom’s Hardware. This development comes just two days after the White House unveiled tariffs affecting most countries worldwide.

“In light of the potential impact of tariffs and evolving market conditions, pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 in the U.S. will not begin on April 9, 2025,” the company stated in an email. “Nintendo will provide an updated timeline at a later date. However, the launch date for the console remains set for June 5, 2025.”

The announcement of the Switch 2 came on Wednesday, introducing a launch price of $449. Nintendo produces these consoles in China and Vietnam, meaning that despite past U.S. threats of significant import duties on Chinese goods, they could ship hardware made in Vietnam to North America, bypassing the increased tariffs previously placed on China earlier this year.

Nintendo was likely caught unprepared by the sweeping global tariffs announced by the White House just hours after the official debut of the Switch 2. The measures, referred to by Trump as “Liberation Day” tariffs, increased U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports to a hefty 54%. Unexpectedly, Vietnam was also subject to a 46% duty.

This shift means that the originally announced price of the Switch 2 might change, as the tariffs on Vietnamese goods have surged. This is a challenging development for both Nintendo and consumers, given that the new console already costs 50% more than the original Switch. Nonetheless, there remains hope that Nintendo can maintain its initially stated price for the upcoming launch on June 5.

There’s speculation among Vietnamese journalists that the 46% tariff imposed on Vietnam by Trump might be a strategic move to bring Vietnam to the negotiating table. In the coming days, Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister, Ho Duc Phoc, is expected to visit the U.S. Possible concessions from Hanoi could potentially lead to reduced tariff rates.

However, if the 46% tariffs on Vietnamese products persist until June 5, Nintendo might have no choice but to increase the console’s retail price to cover these taxes. This would certainly be disappointing for Nintendo’s wide fanbase. Yet, given the broad scope of these tariffs, Nintendo won’t be the only company grappling with this hurdle.