Trump's Tariffs Impact PC Hardware: Razer Gaming Laptop Removed from Sale

The import tariffs reinstated by former U.S. President Donald Trump are once again sending ripples through the gaming community, this time directly affecting Razer’s high-performance Blade 16 gaming laptop. These tariffs, essentially taxes on imported goods, often result in increased costs for consumers—especially in the tech sector where margins are tight and pricing adjustments are common.

While some companies may absorb these additional costs internally, many ultimately pass them along to customers. For gamers in the United States, this could mean higher prices across a range of products, including laptops, consoles, and accessories. In some cases, products are being temporarily removed from sale altogether.

As reported by The Verge, the Razer Blade 16 was briefly available for purchase in the U.S. as recently as April 1—but the product page has since gone dark. The laptop remains available to European buyers (when in stock), yet the U.S. site no longer displays pricing or purchasing options. Instead, interested buyers are prompted to click “Notify Me” for future updates. Attempts to access the Buy Now page lead to a 404 error, suggesting that Razer is holding off on U.S. sales until the tariff situation stabilizes.

This isn’t an isolated case. Tariffs targeting imports from China and Taiwan—where much of the global PC hardware supply chain is based—are also impacting other tech brands. Micron, a leading memory manufacturer, has already warned of potential surcharges, while Framework has opted to "temporarily pause" select U.S. sales in response to the uncertainty.

The ripple effect of these tariffs is also being felt at Nintendo. Just days ago, pre-orders for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 were quietly pulled from U.S. retailers after financial markets reacted negatively to the news of renewed trade tensions. By April 9, what was expected to be the official pre-order date had vanished—with both U.S. and Canadian Nintendo sites delaying availability announcements indefinitely.

This development has sparked concern among fans and analysts alike, with speculation growing that Nintendo may raise the base price of the Switch 2 beyond its previously announced $450 mark. Such a move would come amid criticism over the console’s initial pricing strategy, potentially complicating its market launch.

For more information on the latest developments surrounding the Nintendo Switch 2, check out everything revealed during the recent Nintendo Direct presentation.