Nintendo sues Trump administration over illegal tariffs that delayed Switch 2 pre-orders

Source: Mashable Tech

Background

Last year, Nintendo delayed pre‑orders for the Switch 2 after President Trump’s tariffs were imposed on Chinese‑made gaming consoles. The uncertainty surrounding the tariffs forced Nintendo, along with other companies, to postpone sales and raise accessory prices.

Lawsuit

Nintendo filed a complaint in the U.S. Court of International Trade against the Trump administration, seeking a refund of the “unlawful” tariff fees, interest, and attorney fees. The suit, Nintendo of America Inc. v. United States of America, names the United States as a defendant and lists several Trump administration officials, the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs & Border Protection, the Treasury, and the Department of Commerce.

The complaint states that Nintendo “has been substantially harmed by the unlawful execution and imposition of the unauthorized Executive Orders and corresponding payment of the IEEPA duties.” Nintendo asks the court to order a prompt refund of any IEEPA duties paid, regardless of liquidation status, and to provide any additional remedies the court deems appropriate.

Context

• The lawsuit follows the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down the tariffs, which were issued under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 (IEEPA).
• Nintendo joins more than 1,000 companies—including FedEx and Costco—now suing over the same tariffs.
• Although the Switch 2 launched on its originally scheduled date at the unchanged price of $449.99, many accessories saw price increases due to the tariffs.

Industry Impact

Trump’s tariffs affected the broader tech sector, prompting price hikes for laptops, gaming accessories, and other products. Large firms reported tariff bills exceeding $1 billion per quarter. After the Supreme Court ruling, President Trump announced a new 10 percent global tariff rate and hinted at a possible increase to 15 percent.

Outlook

The court will decide whether Nintendo and other plaintiffs receive refunds. While consumers who faced higher prices due to the tariffs are unlikely to see direct reimbursements, the legal outcome could set a precedent for future tariff disputes.