Trump tariffs: Tech product exemptions may not 'save' Nintendo Switch 2 and other gaming consoles made in China

TOI Tech Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Apr 15, 2025, 00:18 IST

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Despite US tariff exemptions on some tech, Chinese-made gaming consoles like the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 may face hefty import duties. A key Apple and Nintendo supplier indicates a potential 145% US tariff under Trump's trade policy. Other Chinese products, including smart speakers and TVs, also face steep tariffs, impacting the gaming and electronics industries.

Trump tariffs: Tech product exemptions may not 'save' Nintendo Switch 2 and other gaming consoles made in China

Image via Nintendo

Despite the US announcing tariff exemptions for smartphones, laptops, and select tech products, made in China gaming consoles like Nintendo’s upcoming Switch 2 are still expected to face steep import duties. An internal memo from a key Apple and Nintendo supplier, seen by Nikkei Asia, claims that game consoles remain subject to a 145% US tariff under Donald Trump’s “reciprocal�?trade policy. This could deliver a significant blow to console makers relying on Chinese manufacturing, as the ongoing trade war between the US and China shows no signs of sparing the gaming industry.
The report also claims that most Switch consoles are manufactured in China, with only a small number produced in Vietnam. Nintendo has already postponed US pre-orders for the Switch 2 as it assesses the potential impact of the "reciprocal" tariffs. Meanwhile, Sony’s PlayStation 5 units are also made in large numbers in China.

What are the other Chinese products that face US tariffs

According to the assembler's assessment, Products including smart speakers, Bluetooth speakers, and wireless earphones in China currently face steep U.S. tariffs of 145%, 152.5%, and up to 170%.

While many audio products have shifted production to Southeast Asia, 3where they now face a 10% tariff for 90 days, TVs largely remain tied to China, with most China-made models facing a 156.4% tariff due to the country’s cost-effective supply chain, despite some assembly moving to Mexico.
Even smartphones and laptops from China face a 20% base tariff, while servers and electronic switches are hit with a 45% rate. China still plays a central role in producing Apple MacBooks, iPhones, and laptops for HP, Dell, Lenovo, Acer, and Asus.
Though the US released a list of tariff-exempt products like smartphones, laptops, and servers last week to ease trade tensions, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has warned that these items, including semiconductors, may soon face new tariffs within the next month.

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TOI Tech Desk

The TOI Tech Desk is a dedicated team of journalists committed to delivering the latest and most relevant news from the world of technology to readers of The Times of India. TOI Tech Desk’s news coverage spans a wide spectrum across gadget launches, gadget reviews, trends, in-depth analysis, exclusive reports and breaking stories that impact technology and the digital universe. Be it how-tos or the latest happenings in AI, cybersecurity, personal gadgets, platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and more; TOI Tech Desk brings the news with accuracy and authenticity.

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