This is something every country have (no matter where, all have a form of VAT and sales tax) but a majority of nations include VAT within the price of the product whilst in the US that’s calculated upon checkout (so technically you are not paying $789 for a steam deck since you add tax on top of that, so it’s closer to $820 or a game that’s $80 ends up to $95 but are either purchases possible whilst earning $15 per hour?)

Take the PS5: it’s ¥97,980 inc. 10% CT ($603) while the same is $650 but closer to $680 or more when you add SALES TAX, you can buy the same console in Japan but taxes is accounted for there, so that in itself is already telling. This form of “US defaultism” exists even though they’re overseas where VAT is included but still calculate taxes in their head despite the prices being displayed in Euro, Pound, Yen or whatever.