Warren Buffett Warns: Trump-Style Tariffs Could Escalate to Nuclear Conflict in Age of Uncertainty
At Berkshire Hathaway's 2025 annual shareholder meeting, legendary investor Warren Buffett criticized former President Donald Trump's protectionist trade policies, especially the imposition of unilateral tariffs. According to Buffett, in a world where many countries possess nuclear weapons, using trade as a tool of confrontation could lead to unimaginably dangerous consequences.
Buffett did not mention Trump by name, but his argument clearly targeted his “America First” ideology and tough approach to trading partners in recent years. "Trade should not be used as a weapon," Buffett told thousands of shareholders in Omaha. "When you use tariffs to punish or gain advantage, you open the door to hostility, and that is extremely dangerous in a world with eight nuclear powers."
The 94-year-old billionaire stressed that the implementation of unbalanced trade policies could trigger a chain reaction between countries that is difficult to control, especially when there are "quite unstable" governments. Buffett warned: "The fact that some countries are triumphant while others feel humiliated could be a catalyst for more serious conflicts, including military ones."
In March, Buffett had previously spoken out against the view that tariffs benefit the US economy, arguing that they actually raise prices and are borne by American consumers. "Those tariffs are not coming from China - Americans are paying them," he stressed.
Buffett concluded his speech by calling for maintaining free and fair global trade as a foundation for lasting peace and prosperity. “Each country should focus on its own strengths and work with the rest of the world. We cannot grow in isolation,” he said.
Buffett’s warning comes at a time when many US lawmakers are pushing for tougher economic policies, fueling debate about the future of globalization in an increasingly polarized world. Want me to help write another article with a different perspective?