Trump’s tariffs spike iPhone prices and delay Switch 2 launch in the US, experts say

LIBERATION DAY RECIPROCAL TARIFFS 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/ODckbUWKvO

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) April 2, 2025

Below is the news article translated into English, following the same instructions provided, adapted for an English-speaking audience. The structure, word count, and guidelines have been maintained, with a focus on SEO optimization, journalistic style, and the specified requirements.

Options for titles

1. Trump’s tariffs spike iPhone prices and delay Switch 2 launch in the US, experts say (130 characters)
2. See how Trump’s tariffs hit iPhone, gaming, and online shopping in the US market (132 characters)
3. iPhone costs soar and Switch 2 stalls as Trump’s tariffs shake US consumers (130 characters)

Trump’s tariffs spike iPhone prices and delay Switch 2 launch in the US, experts say

On Wednesday, April 2, 2025, President Donald Trump unveiled a sweeping set of tariffs in the United States, igniting concerns over rising costs for American consumers and shaking the tech industry. Dubbed the “Liberation Day” by Trump, the measures impose a 34% tariff on goods from China, 46% on Vietnam, 26% on India, and 20% on the European Union, targeting products that dominate the US market. Analysts warn that these new taxes will likely drive up prices for popular items like the iPhone and disrupt eagerly awaited releases such as the Nintendo Switch 2. Within days of the announcement, tech giants saw their market values plummet, with Apple losing $533 billion and Nvidia shedding $393 billion, signaling a turbulent road ahead for both companies and shoppers.

The iPhone, Apple’s flagship product, faces a significant hit as roughly 90% of its production takes place in China, now under the hefty 34% tariff. Projections suggest that the iPhone 16 Pro Max, currently priced at $1,599 in the US, could climb to nearly $2,300 if the additional costs are passed on to buyers. Meanwhile, Nintendo has postponed the pre-sale of its highly anticipated Switch 2, originally set for April 9, due to the 46% tariff on Vietnam, where the console is manufactured. Online shopping platforms like Amazon and eBay are also bracing for impact, with many of their China-sourced products facing higher costs that could trickle down to consumers.

While semiconductors were spared from the tariffs, offering some relief to companies like Nvidia, the broader tech sector remains vulnerable. The Dow Jones dropped nearly 4% on Thursday, and the Nasdaq, heavily weighted with tech stocks, fell 6%, marking its worst day since March 2020. As global trade partners like China, Canada, and the EU prepare retaliatory measures, the US faces the prospect of a full-blown trade war, with consumers caught in the crossfire. The tariffs, effective from April 9, promise to reshape how Americans shop for tech in the coming months.

Market reels from immediate fallout

The tariff announcement triggered a swift reaction in financial markets, with tech stocks taking a brutal hit. On Friday, April 4, major technology firms collectively lost over $800 billion in market value, driven by uncertainty over how the new costs will play out. Apple, the hardest hit, saw its shares drop more than 6% in after-hours trading on Wednesday, reflecting fears that its profit margins could shrink or its products become pricier for US buyers.

Nintendo wasted no time adjusting its plans, pushing back the Switch 2 pre-sale just hours after revealing the original date. The company cited the need to “assess the potential impact of tariffs and evolving market conditions,” leaving fans without a new timeline for the console’s debut. The move underscores how Trump’s policies are not only raising prices but also derailing product launches across the industry.

• Apple: Lost $533 billion in market value on April 4.
• Nvidia: Dropped $393 billion on the same day.
• Nintendo: Switch 2 pre-sale delayed indefinitely.
• Amazon/eBay: China-sourced goods hit with 34% tariff.

iPhone prices poised for historic jump

Experts predict a steep price hike for Apple’s iPhone lineup due to its reliance on Chinese manufacturing. With the new 34% tariff layered atop an existing 20% rate, the effective tax on imports from China reaches 54%. For the iPhone 16 Pro Max, this could translate into a $700 increase, pushing its retail price from $1,599 to around $2,300 if Apple opts to pass the full burden onto consumers, according to projections from Rosenblatt Securities.

Apple has navigated tariffs before, securing exemptions during Trump’s first term, but the current measures leave little room for maneuver. Efforts to shift production to India and Vietnam, which now face 26% and 46% tariffs respectively, offer limited relief. The company must now weigh absorbing the costs, which would cut into its 35% profit margin, or raising prices, potentially dampening demand in a key market.

Nintendo halts Switch 2 pre-sale amid uncertainty

Nintendo’s decision to delay the Switch 2 pre-sale highlights the tariffs’ ripple effects on the gaming industry. The console, slated to succeed the blockbuster Nintendo Switch—sold over 140 million units since 2017—was set to begin reservations on April 9. However, the 46% tariff on Vietnam, a major production hub, prompted the company to hit pause, with executives promising an updated schedule once the tariff impact is clearer.

The move has frustrated gamers eagerly awaiting the next-generation console, expected to retail around $450. If costs rise due to the tariffs, the Switch 2 could debut at a higher price point, altering its competitive stance against Sony’s PlayStation and Microsoft’s Xbox, both of which also rely on Asian manufacturing. The gaming sector, a $40 billion market in the US, now braces for broader disruptions.

Online shopping braces for higher costs

E-commerce giants like Amazon and eBay face a looming challenge as the 34% tariff hits their China-based sellers. A significant portion of electronics, apparel, and household goods sold on these platforms originates from Chinese vendors, who may now raise prices or reduce offerings. Additionally, Trump’s closure of a trade loophole allowing duty-free imports up to $800, signed into law on April 2, further squeezes online retailers.

The shift could erode the price advantage that has fueled the growth of e-commerce in the US, where online sales topped $1 trillion in 2024. Shoppers accustomed to low-cost gadgets and fast shipping may soon see longer wait times or higher tags on everything from phone chargers to clothing, as sellers adjust to the new reality.

Semiconductor exemption offers partial relief

Unlike most tech goods, semiconductors dodged Trump’s tariff hammer, sparing companies like Nvidia from direct hits on their core products. Nvidia’s graphics processing units, critical for AI and gaming, are largely made by Taiwan’s TSMC, which faces a lighter 32% tariff not covered by the new rates. Still, a base 10% import tax applies, and the company’s $393 billion market value drop on April 4 shows investor unease.

Other tech components, like steel and aluminum used in servers and power supplies, remain tariffed, posing indirect challenges for Nvidia’s data center business. The exemption provides breathing room, but it’s not enough to shield the sector from the broader economic tremors sparked by Trump’s policies.

• China tariff: 34%, totaling 54% with prior rates.
• Vietnam tariff: 46%, affecting Nintendo’s Switch 2.
• India tariff: 26%, hitting Apple’s diversification efforts.
• Semiconductor relief: Exempt from new specific tariffs.

Global backlash escalates tensions

The world didn’t sit idle after Trump’s announcement. China retaliated with a 34% tariff on US goods, while Canada and Mexico slapped 25% duties on billions in American exports. The European Union, facing a 20% rate, is crafting its own response, potentially targeting US agriculture and energy. Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba called the tariffs a “national crisis,” signaling a unified pushback from key trade partners.

Financial markets mirrored the unrest. The Dow Jones shed nearly 4% on Thursday, while the Nasdaq’s 6% plunge erased gains from earlier in the year. Analysts at JP Morgan now peg the odds of a global slowdown at 60% by year-end, as retaliatory measures threaten to spiral into a full-scale trade war, with US consumers and businesses bearing much of the cost.

Consumers face rising prices across the board

American shoppers are set to feel the tariffs’ sting soon. Beyond iPhones and gaming consoles, everyday items like laptops, earbuds, and even imported coffee and tropical fruits could see price hikes. The Consumer Brands Association warns that these increases will strain household budgets, already stretched by inflation that hit 3.2% in 2024.

Tech firms must decide whether to eat the costs or pass them on. For Apple, absorbing the tariffs could slash $1.24 from its per-share earnings by 2026 if margins drop 5%, per Bank of America estimates. Nintendo might raise the Switch 2’s price or shift production, both options likely inflating costs for gamers. The ripple effect promises a tougher shopping season ahead.

Timeline of tariffs and key events

The tariffs roll out in phases, with major impacts starting soon. Here’s the recent timeline:

• April 2: Trump announces tariffs of 34% on China, 46% on Vietnam, 26% on India.
• April 4: Nintendo delays Switch 2 pre-sale; markets lose $800 billion.
• April 9: Tariffs take effect on imports from China, Vietnam, and India.
• Coming days: EU and others expected to detail retaliatory actions.

Trump touts the policy as a boost for US manufacturing, but the immediate outlook points to economic uncertainty and higher consumer prices.

Tech giants under pressure to adapt

Apple, which pledged $500 billion for US manufacturing over the next decade, may speed up its shift away from Asia. Yet, new factories take years to build, leaving consumers reliant on tariffed imports for now. Nvidia, cushioned by the semiconductor exemption, still grapples with secondary costs, like tariffed metals critical for its hardware.

The gaming industry faces its own hurdles. Sony and Microsoft, producing PlayStation and Xbox units in China, could follow Nintendo’s lead, adjusting prices or timelines. Trump’s tariffs, aimed at reshaping trade, are forcing a rapid rethink of global supply chains, with US buyers likely footing the bill in the interim.