Razer Gaming Laptop Removed Due to Trump's Tariffs on PC Hardware

The import tariffs imposed by former U.S. President Donald Trump are once again having a significant impact on American gamers, this time affecting the availability of Razer's Blade 16 gaming laptop. Tariffs, which are essentially taxes levied on imported goods, can lead companies to absorb the costs or, more commonly, pass them on to consumers, resulting in higher prices for tech and gaming products.

In response to these tariffs, Razer has temporarily removed the Blade 16 from sale in the United States. As noted by The Verge, the laptop was available for purchase in the U.S. as recently as April 1, but the option to order has since vanished from the website. While European customers can still purchase the laptop if it's in stock (it's currently unavailable in the UK), U.S. visitors are only prompted to click a "Notify Me" button for updates, with no prices displayed. Attempting to access the "Buy Now" page results in a 404 error.

Razer isn't the only company affected. The tariffs targeting China and Taiwan, major producers of PC components, are also influencing other U.S. firms. Memory manufacturer Micron has warned of potential surcharges, while PC company Framework has "temporarily paused" some U.S. sales entirely.

The ripple effects of these tariffs have also touched the gaming console market. Last week, the pre-order date for the Nintendo Switch 2, initially set for April 9, was removed in the United States following the implementation of the tariffs, which caused turmoil in financial markets. The issue quickly spread to Canada, with Nintendo Canada confirming delays in pre-orders.

Nintendo enthusiasts and market analysts are now worried that Nintendo may increase the price of the Switch 2 and its games even further. This concern comes amidst a backlash against the console's pricing following its recent reveal.

For more detailed coverage, be sure to check out everything that was announced at the Switch 2 Nintendo Direct.