Pre-orders for Nintendo’s Switch 2 Postponed Due to Trump Tariffs; June 5 Launch Still on Track

Nintendo has decided to postpone the start of pre-orders for the Switch 2 in the U.S., in light of recent tariff announcements from the White House. This decision, shared with Tom’s Hardware, arrives just two days after the U.S. declared tariffs that affect most countries globally.

In a statement sent via email, Nintendo explained, “Pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 in the U.S. are postponed beyond the originally planned date of April 9, 2025, so we can better understand the implications of these tariffs and the current market dynamics. We’ll share new timeline details later. However, the release date of June 5, 2025, remains unchanged.”

Officially revealed this Wednesday, the Switch 2 is set to hit shelves with a price tag of $449. The console is produced in factories located in China and Vietnam. Even though the U.S. has long threatened to impose hefty import tariffs on Chinese goods, Nintendo might still circumvent these by shipping units from Vietnam, sidestepping the tariffs imposed on Chinese imports earlier this year by President Trump.

Nintendo was likely unprepared for the worldwide tariffs announced by the White House mere hours after launching the Switch 2. Trump’s “Liberation Day” announcement increased tariffs on goods from China to 54%, but Vietnam surprisingly faced a new 46% duty as well.

With the sharp rise in tariffs on Vietnamese products, Nintendo could be forced to reconsider its pricing strategy. The already high cost of the new console, priced at 50% more than the original Switch, has only added to this potential issue. We remain optimistic, though, that Nintendo can stick to the current price for the June 5 release.

There’s also some noise from Vietnamese journalists suggesting that the 46% tariff could simply be a tactic by Trump to coax Vietnam into negotiations. Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc is scheduled to visit the U.S. shortly. If any agreements are reached, it might lead to a reduction in the imposed tariffs.

Should the high tariffs on Vietnamese imports persist leading up to June 5, Nintendo might have no option but to adjust the console’s retail price for consumers, much to the dismay of its loyal fanbase. However, Nintendo isn’t alone in facing this predicament, given the widespread impact of these tariffs, affecting numerous other companies as well.