Published , by Brittany Vincent
Published , by Brittany Vincent
It looks like Nintendo has plans to make a few changes to the way it approaches production, for at least some of its Switch components.
According to Reuters, Nintendo is looking to shift at least part of its Switch console production away from China and into Vietnam. The news was confirmed by way of a spokesperson for Nintendo, who noted that this was indeed true. Currently, Nintendo outsources nearly all of its console production to contracted manufacturers in China, and the shift is planned for this summer.
However, the change wasn't projected to happen because of the proposed tariffs by the Trump administration that would affect Nintendo consoles. Nintendo insists that instead, the change was intended to "diversify risks."
Previously, Nintendo co-signed a joint letter opposing Trump's proposed 25 percent tariffs on consoles manufactured in China, along with companies like Microsoft, Apple, and Sony.
“While we appreciate the Administration’s efforts to protect U.S. intellectual property and preserve U.S. high-tech leadership, the disproportionate harm caused by these tariffs to U.S. consumers and businesses will undermine — not advance — these goals,” reads the statement, which is dated June 17. “Accordingly, we respectfully request that the Administration remove HTSUS subheading 9504.50.00, covering video game consoles, from the final list of tariffs, and thus refrain from applying tariffs on these products.”
Nintendo has yet to issue further commentary on the situation or a concrete date for when it's projected to shift production to Vietnam other than "summer."