Ever since the PlayStation 5 (PS5) launched, Sony has been working tirelessly to make sure that it never faces another supply chain disaster, like the one that occurred with its release. The shortage left many gamers empty-handed for months and created a frenzy that saw high demand but very limited supply.
The company finally overcame that situation in 2023 with great efforts. Now, it looks like another potential disruption is on the horizon with President Trump’s proposed tariffs. However, this time, the company is acting early to prepare for any negative impact these tariffs have on its operations.
The tariffs and how they will affect Sony’s PlayStation
Under President Trump’s latest trade policy, a 10% tariff will be imposed on all imports from China, and a 25% tariff will apply to goods from Mexico and Canada. These tariffs are part of a broader effort to address trade imbalances and certain political concerns.
These tariffs will have a significant impact on global industries, including gaming. While the digital sales of video games are not directly impacted by these tariffs, the price increase for physical consoles and their accessories could be substantial.
Since the majority of PlayStation consoles are made in China, this new policy will have a significant impact on the price of the console in the U.S. The PS5 is already considered a premium-priced item, with the base model priced at $499, the digital version at $399, and the Pro version at $699.
With the additional tariff, these prices would increase even further, making it more difficult for consumers to purchase the console at a reasonable price. The same goes for the accessories as well, which are also manufactured in China.
Sony is already taking preemptive measures to counter the tariffs
Having been burned by supply chain issues more than once, Sony is taking no chances this time. The company has already begun taking proactive steps to address any potential disruptions caused by the tariffs.
In its recent earnings call, the company revealed various measures to mitigate the impact of the tariffs. These include implementing duplicate supply chains and stockpiling strategic inventory in the U.S. to weather the potential storm caused by newly imposed tariffs.
Sony say they are creating duplicate supply chains and stockpiling inventory in the US to respond to potential US import tariffs on their hardware
– Duplicate supply chains and increase supply chain flexibility
– Stockpiling a certain level of strategic inventory in the US pic.twitter.com/X9XG5wS8Bu— Genki✨ (@Genki_JPN) February 24, 2025
Whoever ain’t got a PS5 now in the US get one before the tariffs are active cuz even the old console already in the US we’ll see a price increase cuz they will try to recoup their future loss on the tariffs like every other company
— Larry (@Alucardwar) February 24, 2025
Probably smart. Especially if anything is coming from China.
— Slick 🇺🇸✝️ (@KilzSlick) February 24, 2025
By increasing its stockpile in the U.S. the company is trying to prevent any global bottleneck that previously cripple the supply chain. This move not only secures availability in the short term but also acts as a buffer against the price increase caused by the added import taxes.
This stockpiling will also give the company extra time to potentially increase its production capacity in other countries, like Japan, especially for the U.S. market. This way, the company will be able to ensure a proper flow of stock for the global (through China) and U.S. markets (through Japan).
Sony’s quick response to the looming threat of tariffs is a smart move that shows it is learning from its past mistakes. All the affected companies should also look to prevent any impact by taking precautions early.
In the end, as the gaming industry braces itself for the impact of the new trade tariffs, it is clear that Sony is not taking risks and wants to maintain its place at the top.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
