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Photo = Yonhap news |
[Alpha Biz= Kim Jisun] Japanese gaming giant Nintendo announced on April 2 that it will launch its new console, the Nintendo Switch 2, on June 5. In the U.S., preorders were originally scheduled to begin on June 9, priced at $449.99 (approximately 660,000 KRW).
However, the company has decided to postpone the U.S. preorder schedule, citing the need to evaluate the potential impact of tariffs and changing market conditions. Nintendo manufactures its consoles in countries such as China, Vietnam, and Cambodia—regions now facing sharply increased U.S. tariffs.
Under recently proposed trade measures, the U.S. government plans to impose a combined 54% tariff on Chinese goods, including existing 20% and newly proposed 34% retaliatory tariffs. Vietnam and Cambodia face 46% and 49% tariffs, respectively.
The Washington Post reported on April 4 that consumers considering purchases of smartphones, laptops, game consoles, or electric bicycles may want to make their decisions soon, as price hikes could be imminent.
American tech giant Apple, which produces 90% of its iPhones in China, may also be hit hard. According to Rosenblatt Securities, if Apple passes the new tariffs on to consumers, iPhone prices could rise by up to 43%. In a worst-case scenario, the top-tier iPhone 16 Pro Max could jump from $1,599 (about 2.34 million KRW) to $2,300 (about 3.36 million KRW).
That said, there are potential mitigating factors. During former President Donald Trump’s first term, broad tariffs were imposed on Chinese imports, but certain Apple products received exemptions or delays.
Samsung Electronics, which produces more than 50% of its smartphones in Vietnam, is also expected to be affected. If retaliatory tariffs are implemented, Samsung may consider relocating production to countries with lower tariffs. Brazil, India, and South Korea—with respective tariff rates of 10%, 26%, and 25%—are being mentioned as alternative production bases.
알파경제 Kim Jisun (stockmk2020@alphabiz.co.kr)
