Nintendo’s Switch 2 Pre-Orders Delayed Due to Trump Tariffs, Despite June 5 Launch Remaining Unchanged

In a surprising move, Nintendo recently announced it would put a hold on opening pre-orders for the much-anticipated Switch 2 in the United States. The decision comes in light of the new tariffs the White House has imposed, affecting numerous countries worldwide.

Nintendo reached out to us at Tom’s Hardware through an email. They explained, “The pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 in the U.S., initially planned to start on April 9, 2025, are postponed. This delay is to give us time to assess the influence of these tariffs and the shifting market dynamics.” They did assure fans that the Switch 2 is still set to hit the shelves on June 5, 2025.

The gaming giant unveiled the Switch 2 on Wednesday, setting its launch price at $449. Manufacturing is primarily based in China and Vietnam, which is strategic. Despite past threats of hefty import duties on Chinese products by the U.S., Nintendo could still ship consoles from Vietnam to avoid the steep tariffs slapped on China earlier this year.

Nintendo’s plans were likely thrown off by the White House announcing almost global tariffs shortly after the Switch 2’s debut. The new “Liberation Day” tariffs by President Trump have significantly increased U.S. duties on Chinese imports to a staggering 54%. Vietnam was unexpectedly caught in this as well, facing a 46% duty.

These changes could mean a reevaluation of the announced price since the tariff hikes on Vietnamese products are substantial. If these duties remain, Nintendo may have no option but to adjust the console’s cost accordingly, making it even pricier than originally planned. For a console already marked 50% higher than its predecessor, this news isn’t exactly what fans were hoping for. However, there’s still hope that Nintendo might manage to maintain the original pricing for the June 5 release.

There’s been speculation in Vietnamese media circles that President Trump might be using the 46% tariff as leverage to bring Vietnam to the negotiating table. Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc is gearing up for a U.S. visit, and there’s anticipation that dialogues could lead to reduced tariff rates if Hanoi offers the U.S. certain concessions.

That said, should these tariffs linger by the time June 5 rolls around, Nintendo will likely have to pass on the increased costs to consumers, raising the console’s retail price in the U.S. Fans are bound to be let down, but in the face of such widespread tariffs, Nintendo is certainly not alone in navigating these challenges.