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Warren Buffett Warns Trump’s Trade Policies Could Risk Nuclear Conflict

During Berkshire Hathaway’s 2025 annual shareholder meeting, CEO Warren Buffett sharply criticized the Trump administration’s "America First" trade policies, cautioning that the aggressive use of tariffs could be perceived as acts of war. He warned that such tactics may pose serious risks in a world where nuclear weapons are a reality.

Buffett: “Trade Should Not Be a Weapon”

Without naming former President Trump directly, Buffett expressed concern over the direction of U.S. trade policy. He stated bluntly, “There is no question that trade can be an act of war. It has led to bad things — the attitudes that it has brought out.”

He warned that continued use of tariffs and protectionist measures could escalate tensions, particularly in a global landscape where eight countries possess nuclear weapons — some of which he described as “quite unstable.”

"I do not think it’s a great idea where a few countries say: ‘Ha-ha, we won!’ and other countries are envious," Buffett said, suggesting that such dynamics could push the world toward dangerous confrontations.

Tariffs: A Cost to American Consumers

Buffett has long opposed tariffs, citing their negative impact on U.S. consumers and inflation. In a previous comment made in March, he debunked claims that tariffs benefit Americans, saying, “The Tooth Fairy doesn’t pay ‘em!” — a reference to the fact that consumers ultimately bear the cost.

A Call for Free Trade

Buffett concluded his remarks with a firm rejection of protectionism, calling for the U.S. to embrace global trade. “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 said.
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