04.02.2025

ESA: The imposition of tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China by the U.S. will harm the gaming industry

In early February, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an order imposing tariffs ranging from 10% to 25% on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China. The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) of the United States fears that these measures could impact the video game industry.

GTA VI

“Video games are one of the most popular and beloved forms of entertainment for Americans of all ages. Tariffs on gaming devices and related products will negatively affect hundreds of millions of Americans and harm the gaming industry, which significantly contributes to the U.S. economy,” the ESA's official statement says.

The association added that it hopes to establish collaboration with the U.S. Congress and the Trump administration to find a solution to the problem. No specific proposals were announced.

Previously, Circana analyst Mat Piscatella suggested that due to the tariffs, there might be fewer game discs on the shelves of American stores, as a substantial portion of them is imported from Mexico. The games themselves—both physical and digital editions—are likely to increase in price due to reduced supply.

The analyst plans to revise his forecast for 2025. Previously, Piscatella expected that U.S. residents would spend $61.5 billion on video games, gaming hardware, and accessories this year (4.8% more than in 2024), but now he is uncertain about this projection.

Tariffs for China took effect today, February 4th. In the cases of Canada and Mexico, the U.S. authorities have agreed to delay their implementation for one month.

Source:

Entertainment Software Association
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