Buffett Criticizes Trump's Tariff Policy... "It's Like Imposing a 'Goods Tax'"

Warren Buffett Criticizes Trump's Tariff Policy
Calls Tariffs "Somewhat an Act of War" and Warns of Consumer Impact

Warren Buffett (94), chairman of the American investment firm Berkshire Hathaway, made an unusually critical remark about President Donald Trump's tariff policy.

Warren Buffett, Chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, USA. Photo by AP Yonhap News

According to the US CNBC broadcast on the 2nd (local time), Buffett said in an interview with CBS News, "We have experienced a lot of tariffs," and evaluated, "Tariffs are somewhat an act of war."

Known as the "Sage of Omaha," he said, "Over time, tariffs become taxes on goods. The Tooth Fairy does not pay (taxes)," and added, "In economics, you always have to ask the question, 'And then what happens?'"

In the US, there is a story that when children lose a tooth and place it by their bedside, the Tooth Fairy leaves a coin instead of taking the tooth. In reality, it is the parents who put the coin in, not the Tooth Fairy. This is interpreted to mean that ultimately, someone will bear the tax burden.

CNBC reported that this is the first time Buffett has publicly spoken about the tariff policy of the Trump administration's second term, and that he viewed punitive tariffs as causing inflation and harming consumers.

During Trump's first term (2018?2019), when the US-China trade war began, Buffett criticized the US's aggressive moves, saying they would cause negative global consequences.