ESA Warns: Trump's Video Game Tariffs to Harm Everyday Americans Significantly

As U.S. President Donald Trump's controversial import tariffs take effect, the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has urged the administration to engage with the private sector to mitigate potential harm to the video game industry.

In a statement updated and provided to IGN, the ESA emphasized the need for dialogue with the private sector "to find ways to sustain the economic growth supported by our sector."

"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 represents a variety of major video game companies, including Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony Interactive Entertainment, Square Enix, Ubisoft, Epic Games, and Electronic Arts.

Concerns have been raised that U.S. tariffs could increase the price of physical video game goods. Photo by Phil Barker/Future Publishing via Getty Images.Over the weekend, President Trump signed an order imposing tariffs on Canada, China, and Mexico. This move prompted retaliatory tariffs from Canada and Mexico, while China's Ministry of Commerce announced plans to file a lawsuit with the World Trade Organization. The tariffs are set to go into effect on Tuesday, but Trump has indicated a pause on tariffs with Mexico for a month following a conversation with the country's president.

Although the tariffs are currently focused on Canada, China, and Mexico, President Trump has suggested that tariffs will "definitely happen" with the European Union as well. Regarding the UK, Trump mentioned to reporters, "we'll see how things work out."

"The UK is way out of line. We'll see ... but the European Union is really out of line," President Trump stated (via Reuters). "The UK is out of line, but I think that one can be worked out. But the European Union is an atrocity, what they've done."

Analysts have been actively discussing the potential impact of these tariffs on the gaming industry. On X, MST Financial senior analyst David Gibson noted that the China tariff would have "zero" impact on the Nintendo Switch 2 in the U.S., but he warned that tariffs on imports from Vietnam could alter this scenario.

Now obviously if tariffs go onto Vietnam imports to the US then that changes the outcome. PS5 not so lucky but Sony might scale up non-China production to help solve the problem.

— David Gibson (@gibbogame) February 2, 2025

In a recent interview with IGN, Super Joost newsletter author Joost van Dreunen also weighed in on the potential cost implications of tariffs on Nintendo's new console, suggesting that "the broader economic environment, particularly potential tariff impacts from the incoming U.S. administration, could significantly influence consumer reception."