GameDaily.biz has spotted a new document published by the Office of the United States Trade Representative that alludes to a 25% tariff on thousands of new goods. These include “video game consoles and machines, coin-operated arcade machines, and parts related to the operation of coin-operated arcade games.”
Basically, game consoles could be getting even more expensive. GameDaily.biz notes that most consoles are sold at a loss, but a 25% tariff would probably be passed on to the consumer: “manufacturers would likely look to recoup some of that additional expense.”
Tariff hearings will begin on June 17, right after the video game industry gathers in Los Angeles for E3 and less than two months before GenCon, the largest tabletop convention in North America. New tariffs could go into effect as early as June 24, which would have a severe impact on both industries in the current fiscal year. Both the ESA and GAMA have their work cut out for them if they hope to protect their membership and a significant piece of the U.S. economy from this latest round of tariffs.