As global markets reeled under the pressure of a sudden trade war triggered by sweeping new tariffs from U.S. President Donald Trump, investor Warren Buffett not only emerged unscathed—but significantly richer. According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Buffett was the only one among the world’s 10 richest individuals to post gains as others saw billions wiped from their fortunes. The tariff announcement, targeting 184 countries, sent global stocks plummeting, resulting in a $5 trillion market wipeout—marking the fourth-worst single-day wealth loss in the Bloomberg Index's 13-year history. The top 500 billionaires lost $536 billion, with Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg among the worst hit.

Buffett’s Bold Strategy Pays Off

At a time when panic gripped Wall Street, Warren Buffett added $12.7 billion to his net worth, which now stands at $155 billion, putting him on par with Bill Gates. How did he pull this off? The secret lies in a strategic shift he made in 2024, when Buffett sold $134 billion in stocks and increased Berkshire Hathaway’s cash reserves to a record $334 billion, most of it parked in short-term U.S. Treasury bills. These ultra-safe assets insulated Berkshire from the ongoing market bloodbath.

One of Buffett’s most prescient moves was cutting his massive stake in Apple by two-thirds just before the tech giant’s shares plummeted 28%, largely due to its exposure to China, which retaliated strongly to Trump’s tariffs. He also pared down positions in Bank of America and Citigroup, both of which are down more than 20% year-to-date. In his February 2025 shareholder letter, Buffett subtly signaled this pivot. "We were aided by a predictable large gain in investment income," he wrote, pointing to rising Treasury yields as safer alternatives to "overpriced equities."

While stock indexes around the globe have seen steep corrections, Berkshire Hathaway shares are up 9% in 2025, thanks to its diversified holdings in railroads, insurance, and energy—sectors more resilient to trade volatility. Buffett’s strategic conservatism, often criticized during bull markets, has once again proven its worth during a downturn. His preference for holding large amounts of cash and avoiding overvalued tech or cyclical stocks has given him the flexibility to withstand economic shocks.

Did Buffett Back Trump Tariffs?

Amid the economic upheaval, rumors surfaced claiming Buffett had endorsed Trump’s aggressive tariff policy. However, Berkshire Hathaway quickly refuted the reports, labeling them as false, according to Reuters. Buffett himself stated he had not made any public comments on the matter and would only speak about the issue during Berkshire’s annual shareholder meeting scheduled for May 3. Despite the denial, the timing of his moves suggests Buffett had anticipated market turbulence—if not the exact trigger, then at least its inevitability.

While most global investors are now scrambling to reassess their portfolios amid growing fears of a recession, Buffett remains a steady figure in turbulent times. His ability to anticipate risk, pivot quickly, and hold cash when others are buying has once again reinforced his legendary status on Wall Street. As Berkshire’s annual meeting approaches, all eyes will be on what Buffett reveals next—and how he plans to deploy his massive cash hoard in a world still reeling from economic shocks.