Nikkei Asia and The Verge reported that during Sony’s May 14, 2025 Q4 2025 Earnings Conference Report President Donald Trump’s tariffs came up, regarding the potential cost being passed on to customers like new PS5 owners and possibly making the console or other devices locally. Seeking Alpha also shared a transcript of the call. It also said the effect of the tariffs on foreign countries could cost Sony around ¥100 billion (~$680 million). It didn’t announce any set decisions yet. [Thanks, Nikkei Asia, The Verge, and Seeking Alpha!]
Both Sony CFO Lin Tao and CEO Hiroki Totoki mentioned passing on the cost of the Trump tariffs to people who buy electronics or the PS5. Tao mentioned the duties affecting the prices of the company’s products and also “shipment allocation.” When Totoki brought it up in Seeking Alpha’s transcript, he mentioned that the ensuing costs of these fees could result in customers paying more or Sony either going with another model or stopping making things that are “not profitable.”
Destin Legarie from Save State Plus shared a video of Lin Tao’s statement on social media.
As for making Sony devices like the PS5 in the US to avoid the Trump tariffs, Hiroki Totoki also addressed that. He mentioned it could be possible. However, as pointed out in the transcript of the call, he noted, “But PS5 are being manufactured in many areas, whether it’s going to be manufactured in the US or not.” He also mentioned the possibly duties like a 100% fee on any movie not made in the US could affect Sony.
Prior to these statements, Sony already announce PS5 price increases. In April 2025, it noted in certain regions the console and optional disc drive peripheral will cost more due to current situations.
The PS5 is available worldwide.
Published: May 14, 2025 01:00 pm