Tariffs | KitGuru https://www.kitguru.net KitGuru.net - Tech News | Hardware News | Hardware Reviews | IOS | Mobile | Gaming | Graphics Cards Mon, 27 Jan 2020 15:50:33 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 https://www.kitguru.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/cropped-KITGURU-Light-Background-SQUARE2-32x32.png Tariffs | KitGuru https://www.kitguru.net 32 32 Proposed video game console tariffs shelved as US-China trade talks make progress https://www.kitguru.net/channel/generaltech/matthew-wilson/proposed-video-game-console-tariffs-shelved-as-us-china-trade-talks-make-progress/ https://www.kitguru.net/channel/generaltech/matthew-wilson/proposed-video-game-console-tariffs-shelved-as-us-china-trade-talks-make-progress/#respond Mon, 27 Jan 2020 14:00:53 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=448936 Back in June 2019, Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo banded together to warn the US government against its proposed tariffs on video game consoles manufactured in China. It was estimated that rising costs would cost the games market $350 million per year, while also leading to increased pricing for consumers. Since then, trade tensions between the …

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Back in June 2019, Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo banded together to warn the US government against its proposed tariffs on video game consoles manufactured in China. It was estimated that rising costs would cost the games market $350 million per year, while also leading to increased pricing for consumers. Since then, trade tensions between the US and China have begun to ease off, with a number of proposed tariffs now being scrapped. 

The US-China tariffs had the potential to have a major impact on the tech world, from OEMs like Apple, to PC component manufacturers and of course, game console makers. The tariffs proposed last year would have seen a 25 percent import tax on consoles, 96 percent of which are made in China. The three major console makers did scale back production in China as a precaution but they also made it clear via a joint letter that these tariffs would cause major issues for the games industry.

With the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and rumoured Nintendo Switch Pro supposedly coming this year, looming tariffs needed to be addressed. Fortunately, as reported by the BBC, the US and China have made some new agreements.

China has committed to increasing US imports and making it easier for US companies to take legal action against companies producing counterfeit products. In addition, some proposed tariffs, like the video game console tariffs, will be shelved indefinitely. It isn't all good news however, as the US and China are expected to maintain some of the 25% tariffs already in place.

KitGuru Says: There is still a long way to go before the trade situation is completely resolved but for now at least, it looks like games consoles will be unaffected. 

 

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Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo band together to warn US gov against increased China tariffs https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/matthew-wilson/microsoft-sony-and-nintendo-band-together-to-warn-us-gov-against-increased-china-tariffs/ https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/matthew-wilson/microsoft-sony-and-nintendo-band-together-to-warn-us-gov-against-increased-china-tariffs/#respond Wed, 26 Jun 2019 15:14:18 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=416562 Many major tech companies have been contacting the US government regarding its proposed tariffs on products manufactured in China. Up to this point, we have mostly been hearing from PC hardware and OEMs like Apple, Intel etc. Today, Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo released a joint letter regarding these tariffs, strongly warning the US of the …

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Many major tech companies have been contacting the US government regarding its proposed tariffs on products manufactured in China. Up to this point, we have mostly been hearing from PC hardware and OEMs like Apple, Intel etc. Today, Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo released a joint letter regarding these tariffs, strongly warning the US of the pitfalls involved with increasing costs.

This is the first time we've heard about how the US trade war with China can impact the gaming market. The three big console makers warn that new and increased tariffs on video game consoles would “injure consumers, video game developers, retailers and console manufacturers”. It would also put “thousands of high-value U.S. jobs at risk and stifle innovation”.

 

The letter goes on to say: “While we appreciate the Administration’s efforts to protect U.S. intellectual property and preserve U.S. high-tech leadership, the disproportionate harm caused by these tariffs to U.S. consumers and businesses will undermine—not advance—these goals”.

“In 2018, over 96% of video game consoles imported into the United States were made in China. The video game console supply chain has developed in China over many years of investment by our companies and our partners. It would cause significant supply chain disruption to shift sourcing entirely to the United States or a third country, and it would increase costs—even beyond the cost of the proposed tariffs—on products that are already manufactured under tight margin conditions. Each video game console comprises dozens of complex components sourced from multiple countries. A change in even a single supplier must be vetted carefully to mitigate risks of product quality, unreliability and consumer safety issues. Tariffs would significantly disrupt our companies’ businesses and add significant costs that would depress sales of video game consoles and the games and services that drive the profitability of this market segment.”

According to the letter, if the US increases its tariffs as much as it is proposing, then consumers would end up paying an estimated $840 million more when combined and even when accounting for this result, the U.S. economy would still lose around $350 million for each year the tariffs remain in effect. In the long term, this would cause the major console makers to reduce their investment in new technologies and would ultimately harm innovation.

Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo all say that they “appreciate the Administration's goal of strengthening the protection of IP in China” but video game consoles aren't being targeted by China. According to the three console makers, Chinese-developed and branded video game consoles are almost non-existent and aren't well received by the market over there. In all, the three companies hope that the US government won't end up imposing these tariffs on video game consoles.

KitGuru Says: Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo all target US pricing first and foremost before figuring out how much games and systems should cost elsewhere in the world. With that in mind, changes in the US economy could end up having an unwanted impact in other parts of the world. A number of major tech companies are all speaking out against these new tariffs, which will hopefully lead this proposal to go back to the drawing board to be reconsidered.  

 

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Apple urges US government not to expand China trade tariffs https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/apple/matthew-wilson/apple-urges-us-government-not-to-expand-china-trade-tariffs/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/apple/matthew-wilson/apple-urges-us-government-not-to-expand-china-trade-tariffs/#respond Mon, 24 Jun 2019 14:30:26 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=416393 Last week we learned that Apple was looking to move as much as 30 percent of its production out of China and into Southeast Asia in an effort to minimise the financial impact of the US government's new trade tariffs. Now, Apple has officially addressed the current situation between the two countries, arguing that the …

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Last week we learned that Apple was looking to move as much as 30 percent of its production out of China and into Southeast Asia in an effort to minimise the financial impact of the US government's new trade tariffs. Now, Apple has officially addressed the current situation between the two countries, arguing that the US government's tariff proposal would impact Apple's economic contribution.

In a public letter sent to Robert Lighthizer, the US Trade Representative, Apple states that the government's proposed tariffs would impact nearly every Apple device on the market and even the parts it uses for repairs. Currently, the US is looking to impose a 25 percent tariff on nearly every category of goods imported from China, including smartphones, computers, TVs etc. Up to this point, Apple has only had to deal with increased tariffs on select accessory products, like chargers and cables. If this proposed expansion goes through, then all of Apple's flagship products will be affected, including the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Cinema Display, Apple TV and the Apple Watch.

The letter starts off by pointing out that Apple is one of the largest job creators in the US and is on track to have contributed $350 billion to the US economy over the next five years. However, if the new US/China tariffs go through, it would “result in a reduction of Apple's U.S economic contribution”.

This situation would “also weigh on Apple's global competitiveness” as the companies it is competing with outside of the US would not be affected by such tariffs. Particularly, Apple would have a more difficult time competing in the Chinese market. Apple urges the government to not proceed with the tariffs and other major tech companies have voiced similar concerns, including Microsoft, Intel, Qualcomm and others.

KitGuru Says: We are going to be hearing much more about this as the situation develops. So much of the tech industry relies on production in China so these tariffs would have a huge impact. 

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Three kills off unlimited tethering https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/matthew-wilson/three-kills-off-unlimited-tethering/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/matthew-wilson/three-kills-off-unlimited-tethering/#comments Tue, 18 Mar 2014 13:00:02 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=182702 Mobile Network, Three, has just recently upgraded its customers to 4G for free and up until now, there didn't appear to be any drawbacks to the deal. However, now the network has decided to pull unlimited tethering from its current tariffs, which was a key benefit to the popular ‘One Plan'. Speaking to Wired, Three …

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Mobile Network, Three, has just recently upgraded its customers to 4G for free and up until now, there didn't appear to be any drawbacks to the deal. However, now the network has decided to pull unlimited tethering from its current tariffs, which was a key benefit to the popular ‘One Plan'.

Speaking to Wired, Three has also confirmed that the One Plan will no longer be offered either, all you can eat data tariffs will still be around but they will be much more expensive than they are now and tethering will be capped at either 500MB, 1GB or 2GB depending on your plan. For those of you that use tethering quite frequently and need more than the 2GB cap allows, then Three will also be offering tethering top ups.

3Vector P-B

These changes will only affect new or renewing customers and while these changes are a shame, Three is still in a good position as it is the only network to offer 4G at no extra cost and still offer unlimited data, although it will be at a higher price than customers are used to. The final change Three is making to its tariffs is a positive one, mobile calls to 0800 numbers will now be free.


KitGuru Says: It's a shame that the One Plan will no longer be offered, it was one of the better value tariffs on the market and unlimited data is becoming less and less affordable these days.
 

Source: Wired

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