How will the new Trump tariffs impact Nikon camera and lens imports to the US?

The Trump administration imposed new tariffs on goods imported to the US. I am obviously not an expert in trade or economics, and I am not interested in a political discussion here. To be neutral in my coverage, I asked AI, “How will the new Trump tariffs impact Nikon camera and lens imports to the US?“. Here is the AI answer I got:

“The new Trump tariffs, as of April 2, 2025, are poised to significantly affect Nikon camera and lens imports to the US, given that Nikon is a Japanese company and Japan is a primary manufacturing hub for its products. Based on available information, here’s how this could play out:

The tariffs include a 24% increase on goods imported from Japan, alongside a 10% baseline tariff on imports from all trading partners. Nikon, headquartered in Japan, produces most of its cameras and lenses there, though some components or lower-end products may come from facilities in places like Thailand or China (which faces a steeper 34% tariff). For a Nikon camera or lens imported directly from Japan, the 24% tariff would apply, raising the cost for US importers—typically distributors or retailers. For example, a Nikon Z8 camera with a pre-tariff import value of $3,000 could see an additional $720 in tariffs, pushing the cost to $3,720 before it even reaches the supply chain. Add the 10% baseline tariff, and that’s another $300, bringing the total to $4,020—a 34% increase.

Historically, during Trump’s first-term tariffs (2018-2019), companies passed most of these costs onto US consumers rather than absorbing them, as studies showed with goods like electronics. Nikon might try to mitigate this by shifting some production to non-tariffed countries or negotiating exemptions, but there’s little evidence they’ve done so yet. Japan’s camera industry relies heavily on specialized supply chains, and relocating isn’t quick or cheap—unlike, say, Tamron, which moved 85% of its production out of China to Vietnam to dodge earlier tariffs. Nikon’s not signaled such a shift, so the full tariff burden will likely hit imports for now.

Consumer prices will almost certainly rise. Retailers, facing higher wholesale costs, typically adjust pricing to maintain margins. A $1,000 Nikon lens could jump to $1,240 or more, depending on how much of the tariff Nikon offsets versus what gets passed on. During the 2019 China tariffs, Sony warned of price hikes on its Chinese-made products, and Nikon’s 105mm f/1.4E lens, partly produced in China, saw similar pressures. This time, with Japan directly targeted, the impact could be broader across Nikon’s lineup. Posts on X reflect this concern, with users speculating that camera gear will get “very expensive” unless companies like Nikon spread costs globally—an unlikely move given profit motives and regional pricing strategies.

There’s no immediate boost to US manufacturing either. Trump’s tariffs aim to encourage domestic production, but Nikon has no significant US factories, and the camera industry’s high-skill, low-volume nature makes stateside production impractical short-term. Retaliatory tariffs from Japan could complicate things further, though that’s speculative for now.

In short, Nikon camera and lens imports will face higher costs—likely 24% to 34% at the import level—translating to noticeable price increases for US buyers in 2025. Nikon might absorb some of this to stay competitive, but past patterns suggest consumers will bear the brunt. If you’re eyeing a purchase, sooner might be cheaper than later.”

How will the new Trump tariffs impact the camera and lens imports to the US?

Nikon products are currently produced in Japan, Thailand, and China. RED cameras are made in California. See the latest updated list of where Nikon products are manufactured:

An updated list of where Nikon Z products are manufactured (the new Nikkor Z 35mm f/1.2 S is made in Thailand)

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