Nintendo confirms it has filed a lawsuit against the United States government over the tariffs that Donald Trump imposed in 2025, which forced the delay of Switch 2 preorders.

Nintendo has filed a lawsuit against the United States government before the U.S. Court of International Trade, describing the tariffs imposed under Donald Trump’s administration as «illegal.» The Japanese company is demanding a full refund of the duties paid, along with the corresponding interest. This legal action comes after a recent ruling by the Supreme Court, which determined that the use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose those tariffs was unlawful, despite the administration later introducing a new global tariff of 10%.

U.S. tariffs forced the delay of Switch 2 preorders in 2025

The tariff conflict had a direct impact on the launch of the company’s new console, the Nintendo Switch 2. Due to market instability and the increase in import costs, the company was forced to delay the start of preorders in the United States, which had originally been scheduled for April 2025.

At the time, Nintendo stated that it needed to «evaluate the potential impact of the tariffs and the evolution of market conditions,» which caused an unprecedented change in its commercial strategy to ensure the product’s viability.

To mitigate the economic impact and keep the console’s retail price at $449.99, Nintendo chose to prioritize importing units from its factories in Vietnam instead of those in China, which were facing tariffs of 54%. However, the company could not avoid price increases for other products, raising the cost of official accessories such as the Pro Controller and the new Joy-Con. This logistical restructuring was a direct response to the trade war between the United States and China, which created significant instability in international markets.

“We have nothing more to share on this matter”

For its part, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) confirmed that it collected approximately $166 billion under these emergency tariffs and estimates that a reimbursement system will be operational within 45 days. Given the significance of the legal proceedings, Nintendo has maintained a cautious communication stance, limiting itself to confirming the filing of the claim and stating: “We have nothing more to share on this matter.” The resolution of this case could set a precedent for other technology companies affected by the trade policies of recent years.