At the 2025 Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting, Warren Buffett expressed strong opposition to the U.S. administration’s use of tariffs, describing trade as a “weapon” as a “big mistake” . He emphasized that trade should be a mutually beneficial exchange, not a tool for economic confrontation.
Buffett’s comments come amid ongoing trade tensions, including significant tariffs imposed by the U.S. on China and retaliatory measures from China. He warned that such protectionist policies could harm global prosperity and, by extension, U.S. interests .
In the same meeting, Berkshire Hathaway reported a 14% decline in first-quarter profits to $9.6 billion, attributing the downturn to macroeconomic factors, including trade policy uncertainties. The company also announced a record cash reserve of over $347 billion, reflecting a cautious investment approach amid economic volatility .
Buffett reaffirmed his commitment to leading Berkshire Hathaway as long as his health permits, maintaining his long-term investment philosophy focused on value and stability.
Warren Buffett Picture on Wikimedia by Mark Hirschey
