The recent tariffs announced by President Trump won’t just affect the Nintendo Switch 2. They are expected to have a serious impact on the entire video game market. The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) expressed great concern about this situation.
According to ESA’s spokesperson (thanks IGN), Aubrey Quinn, “We really are, at this point, just watching and trying not to have knee-jerk reactions, because we don’t think that what President Trump announced this week is the end of the story.” She mentioned that ESA expects a real and harmful impact on the industry and the hundreds of millions of Americans who love video games.
“Our goal is to work with the administration, to work with other elected officials to try to find a solution that doesn’t damage U.S. industries, U.S. business, but also American gamers and families,” Quinn added in a statement, made just before Nintendo’s big announcement.
“It’s hard to imagine a world where tariffs like these don’t impact pricing. This will also hit consumer spending, which will impact company revenue. If profits drop, jobs, investments in research and development, and even the next generation of consoles will be affected. The entire consumer ecosystem is connected.”
What Can the Entertainment Software Association Do?
The tariffs might increase the price of Nintendo Switch 2 in the U.S., but as ESA’s spokesperson said, this situation will have dramatic consequences for the whole video game industry. So, what can the Entertainment Software Association do in this tough situation?
“We know who we need to talk to and are working to build those relationships to make sure they understand we are ready to work together to find solutions,” said Aubrey Quinn. “It needs to be a public-private dialogue, so they understand the risks these measures pose for business, consumers, and everything happening within the U.S.”
She added that while they haven’t yet spoken to every level of government, they are engaging in discussions, including working with other associations. This issue extends beyond the video game industry.
Quinn also pointed out how the media coverage linked tariffs with video games, especially on the day of Nintendo’s Nintendo Switch 2 presentation. However, she stressed that “this is not just about one console; we play on many devices. Thinking this is only a Switch 2 issue is not taking the matter seriously.”
