American business tycoon slams Trump's trade policies as "big mistake" “Trade should not be a weapon”

At Berkshire Hathaway's annual shareholder meeting in Omaha, Nebraska, Warren Buffett sharply criticised President Donald Trump's hardline trade policy, calling it a "big mistake" to impose punitive tariffs on other nations.

“Trade should not be a weapon,” Buffett remarked during the event, without directly referencing the president, Caliber.Az reports, citing American media.

He further elaborated on the potential consequences of protectionist trade policies, stressing the importance of global prosperity. “I do think that the more prosperous the rest of the world becomes, it won’t be at our expense, the more prosperous we’ll become, and the safer we’ll feel, and your children will feel someday.”

Buffett also expressed concern about the impact of tariffs on global relations, describing them as a potential catalyst for conflict. "Trade and tariffs can be an act of war,” he said. "And I think it’s led to bad things. Just the attitudes it’s brought out. In the United States, I mean, 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.”

His remarks come after a tumultuous month in trade relations, when the White House announced the highest tariffs on imports in generations, leading to significant market volatility. While the president later paused much of the planned tariff increases for 90 days—excluding China—the decision did little to ease tensions in the global market.

Buffett cautioned that such protectionist measures could have long-term detrimental effects on the U.S., especially considering its historical rise to global prominence. “It’s a big mistake, in my view, when you have seven and a half billion people that don’t like you very well, and you got 300 million that are crowing in some way about how well they’ve done—I don’t think it’s right, and I don’t think it’s wise,” he added.

The investor also reflected on the remarkable journey of the United States, asserting that the country had achieved unprecedented success. "The United States won. I mean, we have become an incredibly important country, starting from nothing 250 years ago. There’s not been anything like it.”

 By Khagan Isayev