“ESA Sounds Alarm: Trump’s Tariffs Could Wreak Havoc on US Game Developers and Enthusiasts”
By “We encourage the administration to engage with the private sector in a clear and open process”
The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has cautioned that any tariffs imposed by Donald Trump’s administration will cause “considerable damage” to the gaming industry – and players – in the United States.
In a statement to Kotaku, the organization – which represents online gaming companies such as Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo – first urged the Trump administration to “engage” with the sector in a “transparent manner to prevent causing significant harm to everyday Americans”.
The tariffs, set to take effect tomorrow, will affect exports from Canada, China, and Mexico (though the tariffs on the latter have been “paused” and are still under review).
While games may be digital and likely exempt, the tariffs will still impact the supply of hardware and accessories, as well as the components used to create gaming consoles and PC hardware.
“Tariffs on video game devices and associated products would affect Americans of all demographics across the nation,” the statement indicated.
“We encourage the administration to engage with the private sector in a clear and open process to prevent causing considerable damage to everyday Americans and to one of the fastest-growing entertainment industries in the United States.”
However, as noted by Forbes, this statement was subsequently altered.