At his final Berkshire Hathaway annual gathering, Warren Buffett, 94, used his platform to denounce America’s use of tariffs as tools of conflict. Addressing thousands in Omaha, he asserted that trade must foster cooperation—not hostility. “Commerce shouldn’t be used as a weapon,” he declared, drawing enthusiastic applause.
Although he refrained from naming Donald Trump, Buffett’s comments indirectly challenged the former president’s aggressive tariff policies. These measures, he implied, have disrupted economic stability, rattled global markets, and burdened businesses with uncertainty. Berkshire Hathaway itself revealed a noticeable decline in quarterly earnings and warned that continued tariffs might have unfavorable effects on its operations.
Buffett emphasized that collaboration with international partners brings mutual benefit. He argued that as other nations grow economically, so too does America’s security and prosperity. “When the world becomes wealthier, our nation and our children will thrive,” he told the audience.
The announcement that Buffett will retire by year’s end and hand the reins to longtime successor Greg Abel marked the end of an era. The crowd at Omaha’s CHI Health Center responded with a standing ovation as Buffett exited the stage with his trademark wit.
The event, known as the “Woodstock for Capitalists,” drew a diverse crowd of loyal shareholders, families, and fans who flooded the convention space for products, photos, and memories. Buffett’s departure ends six decades of visionary leadership that turned a struggling textile firm into a global powerhouse.
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