Nintendo delays Switch 2 pre-orders in U.S. amid Trump tariffs on Vietnam and Cambodia

Nintendo announced on Friday (4) that pre-orders for the highly anticipated Switch 2, initially set to begin on April 9 in the United States, have been postponed indefinitely. The decision stems from uncertainty surrounding new tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump, which directly affect Vietnam and Cambodia, countries that account for over half of the company’s hardware imports into the U.S. market. With a confirmed launch date of June 5 and a starting price of $449, the console had already sparked excitement among fans of Mario and Zelda, but now Nintendo is reassessing the financial fallout of the tariffs before allowing orders to proceed. This move marks one of the first tangible impacts of Trump’s sweeping trade policies, unveiled on April 2, on consumer goods, raising concerns about potential price hikes and market disruptions.

The Switch 2, successor to the blockbuster console launched in 2017, was unveiled on Wednesday (2), just hours before Trump detailed his tariff plan, which includes a 10% base rate on all imports and steeper rates of 46% for Vietnam and 49% for Cambodia. The pre-order delay highlights Nintendo’s cautious approach to a situation that could increase costs for American buyers. Unlike the original Switch, which debuted at $299 (about $389 in 2025 dollars), the new console’s $449 price tag already positions it as a premium offering, and analysts speculate that the tariffs could push it even higher, challenging Nintendo’s reputation for affordability compared to Sony’s PlayStation and Microsoft’s Xbox. The company emphasized that the June 5 launch remains unchanged, though the tariff uncertainty has left fans and industry observers awaiting further updates.

While the Switch 2 isn’t manufactured in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, the region’s gamers, reliant on imports through distributors, may feel indirect effects as global prices shift. Nintendo’s statement, emailed to multiple media outlets, underscores its intent to monitor “evolving market conditions” caused by the tariffs, which took effect partially on April 5 and will fully apply to Vietnam and Cambodia by April 9. The company’s shift away from China since 2018, prompted by earlier Trump-era tariffs, had positioned Vietnam and Cambodia as key production hubs, but the latest trade measures now threaten that strategy, potentially reshaping the supply chain for one of the gaming industry’s most anticipated releases of the year.

Nintendo responds to Trump’s trade measures

Nintendo’s decision to delay Switch 2 pre-orders is a direct reaction to the tariffs Trump outlined on April 2. The policy, which began with a 10% base rate on all imports on April 5, imposes higher rates of 46% on Vietnam and 49% on Cambodia starting April 9, targeting nations that have become critical to the company’s production. These countries now supply over 50% of Nintendo’s hardware imports to the U.S., a shift driven by the company’s efforts to diversify away from China since the first Trump administration’s trade disruptions in 2018. The pre-order delay, originally scheduled for April 9, gives Nintendo breathing room to evaluate how these tariffs will affect the $449 launch price and its bottom line.

The Switch 2’s debut price already raised eyebrows, being $60 more than the inflation-adjusted $389 of the original Switch in 2017 dollars. That console, which sold over 141 million units worldwide by 2024, revitalized Nintendo after the Wii U’s lackluster 13 million units sold between 2012 and 2017. The higher starting cost of the Switch 2 reflects its enhanced features, like an 8-inch OLED screen and improved processing power, but the tariffs could force an even steeper hike. In the U.S., where affordability has long been a Nintendo hallmark compared to the $499 PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, any price increase risks alienating fans eager for the June 5 launch.

Consumers are already voicing concerns. In online forums, fans speculate that the Switch 2 could climb to $500 or beyond if tariffs are fully passed on, a shift that could dampen initial sales in a market that accounted for 40% of original Switch purchases. Nintendo’s statement avoids committing to a new pre-order date, noting only that it will provide updates later, leaving the door open for adjustments in pricing or production. For gamers in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, where the console arrives via importers, the ripple effects could mean higher costs in the local market, though the immediate focus remains on the U.S. delay.

Tariffs disrupt Nintendo’s Asian production

Shifting production from China to Vietnam and Cambodia was a strategic move by Nintendo to dodge tariffs imposed during Trump’s first term, which peaked at 25% on Chinese goods in 2019. By 2024, China’s share of Nintendo’s U.S. imports had dropped from over 90% to under 40%, with Vietnam emerging as the primary hub, producing an estimated 60% of Switch hardware, and Cambodia contributing a growing share. The new tariffs—46% on Vietnam and 49% on Cambodia—undo much of that progress, hitting the company just as it prepares to launch the Switch 2 on June 5.

Vietnam exported $1.2 billion in electronics to the U.S. in 2024, with Nintendo hardware forming a significant portion, while Cambodia shipped $800 million, including consoles and components. The tariffs, set to take full effect on April 9, could add $40 to $50 per Switch 2 unit, based on production costs estimated at $250 in 2024. This increase threatens Nintendo’s profit margins, which reached $4.2 billion last year, or its ability to keep the $449 price competitive. The company’s reliance on these countries, built over years of investment in factories and logistics, now faces a costly reckoning as Trump’s trade policy targets nations seen as benefiting from U.S. trade deficits.

Options are limited. Moving production back to Japan, where labor costs are higher, or to Thailand, which faces the lower 10% base tariff, would take months and require significant capital. In Mato Grosso do Sul, where gamers depend on imported stock, any delay in U.S. distribution could push back availability, as Brazil often follows North American supply chains. Nintendo’s silence on immediate plans suggests it’s weighing these trade-offs, with the June 5 launch date looming as a deadline to finalize its approach.

• Key tariff impacts on Nintendo:
  • 46% tariff on Vietnam imports starting April 9.
  • 49% tariff on Cambodia imports starting April 9.
  • Potential $40-$50 cost increase per Switch 2 unit.
  • Over 50% of U.S. imports from affected countries.

Fans face uncertainty as costs loom

Nintendo fans in the U.S. were gearing up for pre-orders on April 9, but the tariff-induced delay has left them in limbo. The Switch 2, with its promise of enhanced graphics and backward compatibility with original Switch games, had built massive hype since its reveal on April 2. Priced at $449, it was already a step up from the $299 launch of its predecessor, and the new tariffs could push it closer to $500, aligning it with pricier competitors like PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. For gamers in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, where prices often exceed $600 due to import taxes, the delay signals potential cost increases and supply shortages in the local market.

Trump’s tariff plan, dubbed “Liberation Day” on April 2, imposes a 10% base rate on all imports effective April 5, with higher rates for 57 countries, including Vietnam and Cambodia, starting April 9. Electronics, a $450 billion import category in 2024, are heavily impacted, with Vietnam and Cambodia playing growing roles after companies like Nintendo shifted production from China. The Switch 2, reliant on these nations, becomes a high-profile casualty, and fans worry about both price and availability as the June 5 launch nears. In the U.S., where the original Switch sold 15 million units in 2023 alone, a price hike could slow momentum for what Nintendo hopes will be another blockbuster.

In Brazil, including Mato Grosso do Sul, the console’s price in the gray market could climb above $700 if U.S. costs rise, factoring in the dollar exchange rate and local taxes. Nintendo’s decision to hold off pre-orders, announced on Friday (4), buys time to assess these pressures, but fans remain on edge. Online, some express frustration over the wait, while others speculate that bundles or discounts might soften the blow. For now, the company’s focus is on navigating the tariff storm without derailing its June rollout.

Tech industry braces for tariff fallout

Nintendo’s pre-order delay is an early warning of how Trump’s tariffs ripple through the tech industry. Unveiled on April 2, the policy imposes a 10% base tariff on all imports from April 5 and specific rates—like 46% on Vietnam and 49% on Cambodia—from April 9, targeting $800 billion in annual trade deficits. The gaming sector, worth $56 billion in the U.S. in 2024, relies on global supply chains, and Nintendo’s dependence on Vietnam and Cambodia for over 50% of its U.S. imports makes it particularly exposed. Other giants, like Apple and Samsung, also face challenges, with Vietnam producing iPhones and Xbox components.

In 2024, Vietnam shipped $96 billion in goods to the U.S., 40% of it electronics, while Cambodia exported $8.5 billion, including Nintendo hardware. The tariffs could raise costs across the board, with analysts predicting a 10% to 20% price hike for consoles and devices if companies pass on the burden. Nintendo, which sold 15 million Switches last year, might see initial Switch 2 sales drop by 15% if prices exceed $500, a threshold that could test its loyal fanbase. Unlike Sony and Microsoft, with broader production networks, Nintendo’s concentrated supply chain amplifies the tariff sting.

The broader tech sector feels the heat too. In Mato Grosso do Sul, where gamers rely on imported electronics, prices for phones, laptops, and consoles could rise by mid-2025 as global costs adjust. The U.S., importing $390 billion in electronics in 2024, faces a potential $40 billion cost increase if tariffs stick, prompting companies to rethink sourcing. Nintendo’s delay, announced Friday (4), sets a precedent as firms weigh absorbing costs, raising prices, or relocating production—a process that could take over a year.

Nintendo’s strategic crossroads

Facing Trump’s tariffs, Nintendo must recalibrate its approach. Since 2018, the company shifted production from China, cutting its reliance from 90% to under 40% by 2024, with Vietnam and Cambodia taking the lead. The new 46% and 49% tariffs on these countries, effective April 9, threaten this pivot, potentially adding $50 per Switch 2 unit to production costs estimated at $250 in 2024. With a $449 launch price set for June 5, Nintendo could raise it to $500, risking sales in a price-sensitive market, or absorb the hit, cutting into its $4.2 billion profit from 2024.

Relocating production is another option, but challenging. Japan, with higher labor costs, or Thailand, under the 10% base tariff, could take months to scale up, delaying the Switch 2 beyond June. The original Switch’s success—141 million units sold globally by 2024—came from affordability, a lesson after the Wii U’s 13 million flop. In Mato Grosso do Sul, where gamers face import delays, any production shift could push local availability into late 2025, with prices reflecting added logistics costs. Nintendo’s Friday (4) statement hints at flexibility, but the clock is ticking to resolve supply issues.

The company might also explore discounts or bundles to offset tariff costs, a tactic used in 2023 when Switch sales hit 15 million units despite competition. For now, the pre-order delay buys time, but analysts expect a decision by late April to keep the June 5 launch on track. In Brazil, including Mato Grosso do Sul, distributors brace for higher costs, potentially exceeding $700 per unit in the gray market, testing the patience of fans awaiting the next Mario and Zelda adventures.

Fans await Nintendo’s next move

Anticipation for the Switch 2, fueled by leaks and its April 2 reveal, hit a snag with the pre-order delay. In the U.S., where 40% of the original Switch’s 141 million units were sold, fans planned to lock in orders on April 9, drawn by features like an 8-inch OLED screen and retrocompatibility. The $449 price, already $60 above the inflation-adjusted $389 of the 2017 Switch, now risks climbing to $500 or more due to tariffs of 46% on Vietnam and 49% on Cambodia, effective April 9. In Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, where prices often top $600 with taxes, gamers fear even steeper costs.

Trump’s tariffs, starting with a 10% base rate on April 5, target $450 billion in annual electronics imports, with Vietnam and Cambodia key players after China’s decline. The Switch 2, heavily produced in these nations, could see supply tighten if Nintendo adjusts, affecting its June 5 launch. U.S. fans worry about availability, while in Brazil, including Mato Grosso do Sul, gray market prices might hit $750, reflecting dollar rates and local taxes. Nintendo’s Friday (4) announcement leaves pre-order timing unclear, with fans speculating on discounts or delays as June approaches.

Gaming industry feels tariff pressure

The Switch 2 pre-order delay underscores the gaming industry’s vulnerability to Trump’s tariffs. Announced April 2, the policy’s 10% base rate (April 5) and 46%-49% rates on Vietnam and Cambodia (April 9) hit a $56 billion U.S. market reliant on imports. Nintendo, with over 50% of its U.S. hardware from these countries, faces a bigger blow than Sony or Microsoft, whose PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S leverage broader supply chains. In 2024, PlayStation sold 20 million units globally, Xbox 15 million, and Switch 15 million, but Nintendo’s concentrated production amplifies tariff costs.

Electronics imports to the U.S., worth $390 billion in 2024, could rise by $40 billion annually with tariffs, pushing console prices up 10%-20%. In Mato Grosso do Sul, where gaming grew 8% in 2024, local retailers expect prices above $700 for the Switch 2, slowing adoption. The industry, shaken by 2019’s China tariffs, now braces for a broader hit, with companies like Nintendo potentially rethinking supply chains or passing costs to consumers, a move that could reshape market dynamics by mid-2025.

Switch 2 timeline faces tariff hurdles

The Switch 2 rollout navigates tariff challenges:

• April 2: Reveal and Trump tariff announcement.
• April 4: Pre-order delay announced.
• April 5: 10% base tariff begins.
• April 9: 46% (Vietnam) and 49% (Cambodia) tariffs start.
• June 5: Global launch.

In Mato Grosso do Sul, fans monitor U.S. delays, expecting local impacts by June. Nintendo may update pre-order plans by late April, balancing costs and demand.

Industry and fans on edge

Nintendo’s delay signals broader uncertainty. In the U.S., fans await pricing clarity, while in Mato Grosso do Sul, import costs could top $750. The $56 billion gaming sector braces for a 10%-20% price surge, with Nintendo’s $449 Switch 2 at risk of losing its edge. Sony and Microsoft adjust too, but Nintendo’s Vietnam-Cambodia reliance heightens its challenge. By June 5, the outcome will shape gaming in 2025.