Outlook Business Desk
Sony, the Japanese electronics and entertainment giant, announced a $50 price increase for PlayStation 5 consoles in the United States, citing economic pressure from tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump. The company said the move was necessary to cope with higher import costs.
Trump’s tariffs on imports from major manufacturing hubs such as Japan and China have hit Sony hard. Although Japan negotiated a reduction of the threatened 25% tariff to 15%, the duties still increased costs.
Following the adjustment, the PlayStation 5 standard model will cost $550 in the US. The Digital Edition is set at $500, while the high-end PlayStation 5 Pro will retail for $750, according to Tomatis.
Back in May, Sony cautioned that rising tariff expenses could force a price increase for PlayStation 5 consoles in the US. The company projected that these duties might add nearly $680 million to its costs over the financial year.
Sony is not alone in feeling the heat from tariffs. US-based Estee Lauder, a global cosmetics and skincare giant, expects tariffs to increase costs by $100 million in 2026, forcing it to adjust product prices to protect profitability and maintain market stability.
PepsiCo, one of America’s largest food and beverage firms, may hike soft drink prices by nearly 10%. The company faces higher costs due to tariffs on imported aluminium, which is widely used for producing soda cans in the US.
California-based Monster Beverages is also considering increasing prices. The company’s CEO Hilton Schlosberg highlighted a “complex and dynamic customs landscape,” suggesting that the tariff burden may eventually need to be passed on to consumers to maintain margins.
The US Commerce Department has widened steel and aluminium tariffs to cover hundreds of more products, including child seats, tableware and heavy machinery. This broader reach is adding fresh cost pressures on companies across several industries, making operations more expensive.
Since returning to the presidency, Trump has placed tariffs on nearly all key US trading partners. Experts caution that while the immediate impact on consumers has been limited, the wider consequences may soon be felt across households and industries.