The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) urges the Trump administration to collaborate with the private sector to mitigate the potential negative impact of import tariffs on the video game industry.

In a statement to IGN, the ESA emphasized the importance of dialogue with the private sector "to find ways to sustain the economic growth supported by our sector." The statement highlighted the popularity of video games and warned that tariffs on gaming devices and related products would harm both consumers and the industry's substantial contribution to the U.S. economy. The ESA pledged to work with the administration and Congress to address these concerns.

President Trump recently imposed tariffs on Canada, China, and Mexico, prompting retaliatory measures from Canada and Mexico, and a WTO lawsuit from China. While a temporary pause on Mexican tariffs has been announced, the President has indicated that tariffs on the European Union are likely, and the situation regarding the UK remains uncertain.

Analysts are assessing the potential industry impact. MST Financial's David Gibson, on X, suggested that while China tariffs might not significantly affect the Nintendo Switch 2 in the U.S., tariffs on Vietnamese imports could alter the situation. He also noted that Sony might need to increase non-China production to offset potential impacts on the PS5.

Joost van Dreunen, author of the Super Joost newsletter, in a recent IGN interview, highlighted the broader economic implications, including potential tariff effects, on consumer reception of Nintendo's upcoming console. The overall economic climate, he argued, could significantly influence consumer spending on new gaming hardware.