Warren Buffett Warns Trump’s Trade Policies Could Spark Nuclear Tensions

At the 2025 Berkshire Hathaway annual shareholder meeting, CEO Warren Buffett issued a stark warning against the Trump administration’s aggressive trade strategies. While stopping short of naming Donald Trump directly, Buffett criticized the “America First” approach, particularly the use of tariffs, suggesting that such measures could escalate international tensions — potentially even leading to nuclear conflict.

Trade as a Weapon in a Fragile World

“There is no question that trade can be an act of war,” Buffett stated during the meeting. “It has led to bad things — the attitudes that it has brought out.” He emphasized the dangers of weaponizing trade policy in a world where multiple nations possess nuclear arms, several of which he labeled “quite unstable.”

Buffett warned that an overly competitive, nationalistic trade posture might provoke dangerous reactions. “I do not think it’s a great idea where a few countries say: ‘Ha-ha, we won!’ and other countries are envious,” he added, highlighting the volatile dynamics such policies could inflame on the global stage.

Economic Costs and Consumer Pain

This is not the first time Buffett has sounded the alarm about tariffs. In March, he pointed out that tariffs often backfire, raising prices for American consumers. “The Tooth Fairy doesn’t pay ‘em!” he quipped, dismissing the notion that such costs can be absorbed without consequences.

A Call for Open Markets

Reiterating his long-held belief in the power of free trade, Buffett urged the U.S. to maintain open economic relationships with other nations. “In the United States, we should be looking to trade with the rest of the world. And we should do what we do best and they should do what they do best,” he concluded.

Buffett’s remarks mark a strong rebuke of isolationist economic policy at a time when geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty are on the rise. As the world grapples with interconnected crises.$BTC #BinanceAlphaAlert