Buffett Criticizes Trump’s Tariffs, Warns Against Using Trade As A Weapon

Billionaire investor Warren Buffett criticized President Donald Trump’s trade policies, warning that the United States should not use “trade as a weapon” against other nations, the Associated Press (AP) reported.

While emphasizing the importance of balanced trade between nations, Buffett took aim at Trump’s approach. I Photo: Asa Mahat, Fortune MPW / Fortune Live Media Flickr

Speaking at Berkshire Hathaway’s annual shareholders meeting in Omaha, Nebraska, Buffett said that antagonizing the global community through aggressive tariffs was counterproductive.

“It’s a big mistake in my view when you have 7.5 billion people who don’t like you very well, and you have 300 million who are crowing about how they have done,” he said.

While emphasizing the importance of balanced trade between nations, Buffett took aim at Trump’s approach, stating: “We should be looking to trade with the rest of the world. We should do what we do best and they should do what they do best.”

Tariffs were a top concern among shareholders, who submitted questions in advance of the meeting. Investors also pressed Buffett on Berkshire’s massive $347.7 billion cash pile.

Buffett said he has not found attractively priced investment opportunities he fully understands but remains confident the firm will eventually be “bombarded with opportunities” for which the cash will prove useful.