February 3, 2025 9:07 AM
Nintendo Switch 2
Image Credit: Nintendo
The Entertainment Software Association said it is concerned that tariffs on video game devices and related products could cause significant harm to Americans and the fast growing sector.
In a statement first published by Kotaku, the game industry’s lobbying group has asked President Donald Trump and the United States government to consult with the private sector on the tariffs.
“Video games are one of the most popular and beloved forms of entertainment for Americans of all ages. Tariffs on video game devices and related products would negatively impact hundreds of millions of Americans and would harm the industry’s significant contributions to the U.S. economy. We look forward to working with the Administration and Congress to find ways to sustain the economic growth supported by our sector,” the ESA statement said.
While digital game software can avoid the tariffs, physical products like game discs and consoles will likely be hit with tariffs, as those are made overseas. China, Mexico and Canada were hit with tariffs on Saturday. It’s not yet known how much prices will be affected for the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, computer graphics cards, and the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2.
Regarding Mexico, Trump tweeted this morning that he had reached a deal with Mexico’s president to postpone the tariffs for a month while the Mexican authorities send 10,000 troops to the border to deal with illegal immigration and drug smuggling.
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