‘Severe strain’ on tech supply chains will cause more price rises in electronics
Experts say the ongoing uncertainty around Donald Trump’s tariff policy is forcing firms to put prices up – as Sony announced PS5 price rises.
The “uncertainty” created by US President Donald Trump’s changing tariffs policy is putting tech manufacturing supply chains under “severe strain”, and sparking price rises, experts have said.
On Monday, Sony confirmed it was raising the price of some PlayStation 5 consoles in the UK, Europe, Australia and New Zealand because of what it called “challenging” economic conditions.
Over the weekend, the US government said it would exempt electronics from its sweeping new tariffs on imports to the US, but also indicated that this reprieve would only be temporary while it decided on a tariff regime for the sector.
Geraint John, vice president of research at supply chain intelligence firm Zero100, said more announcements similar to Sony’s price rises could be on the way.
“President Trump’s decision to exempt smartphones and computers from sky-high US import tariffs may provide only temporary relief for Apple, Google, Dell and other consumer electronics companies,” he told the PA news agency.
“They remain hugely dependent on China, along with Vietnam and India, for manufacturing, so any increase in tariffs on these countries above the current 10-20% level is likely to see consumers paying more for their devices.
