Tariffs, Tech, and Teaching: Why Blanket Tariffs Are Hurting More Than Helping

I don’t usually write about politics. But this time, I had to say something.

There’s been a lot of talk lately about tariffs — extra taxes added to imported items — and how they might help protect American businesses. But to be honest, the whole situation feels like a mess. These new tariffs aren’t just hitting big companies. They’re starting to affect people like me — teachers, gamers, and families trying to make ends meet.

One example is the Nintendo Switch 2. Pre-orders were supposed to start this week in the U.S., but now they’re on hold. Nintendo is trying to figure out how to deal with the new tariffs and if they should raise the price. Right now, the console is set at $449.99, but that could change. And it’s not just video games. These new taxes could raise prices on Smartboards, laptops, classroom tech, and even regular school supplies.

That’s what really worries me.

Schools already have a hard time with budgets. If everything we need to teach gets more expensive, how are we supposed to give students the tools they deserve? We talk about making education better, but at the same time, these tariffs might make it harder for classrooms to stay updated with the tech they need.

In my opinion, there are better ways to fix trade problems than adding extra taxes to everything. If there are unfair trade practices happening, then go after those directly. Don’t punish everyone in the process. It would make more sense to work with other countries, invest in American factories and worker training, and update trade rules in ways that don’t hurt regular people.

At first, I was just annoyed about how this might affect video games. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized this affects classrooms, too. And that hits close to home.

I’m not a politician or an expert. I’m just someone who teaches, plays games, and tries to stay informed. And from where I’m sitting, this doesn’t feel like the right way forward.

-Prof. Rock