- 94-year-old Buffett warns against alienating 7.5B global citizens through tariffs
- Berkshire holds $347.7B cash awaiting bombardmentof future opportunities
- Chinese investor flies 7,000+ miles to thank Buffett personally
At Berkshire Hathaway's 2024 annual meeting, Warren Buffett delivered a masterclass in economic diplomacy. The nonagenarian investor argued that current US trade policies risk fracturing international relations, stating: When 96% of potential customers live beyond our borders, we can't afford perpetual animosity.His comments come as global supply chains face renewed pressure from semiconductor restrictions and EV tariff escalations.
The Oracle of Omaha revealed Berkshire's cash pile has swelled to $347.7 billion - enough to buy 18 million ounces of gold. While critics question this conservative stance, Buffett anticipates market turbulence: Cash becomes oxygen when others gasp for air. Our patience will fund tomorrow's crown jewels.This strategy echoes Berkshire's 2008 crisis moves that netted $10B in preferred stock deals.
A poignant moment came when Haibo Liu, who camped overnight outside Omaha's CHI Health Center, shared his journey from Shanghai factory worker to Berkshire shareholder. Mr. Buffett taught me compound growth beats quick riches,said Liu, now running a successful import business leveraging US-China trade flows. His story underscores Buffett's global influence beyond Wall Street.
Longtime investor Linda Smith personifies Berkshire's buy-and-hold philosophy. Her initial $3,400 investment in 1982 - equivalent to 8 months' graduate stipend - now exceeds $800,000. Smith's experience highlights three key wealth-building principles: leverage dollar-cost averaging, ignore short-term noise, and invest in companies with economic moats.
Despite geopolitical tensions, Buffett remains bullish on America's innovative spirit. He quipped: If reincarnated, I'd negotiate womb-exit timing for US citizenship.This optimism extends to Berkshire's 60+ subsidiaries, from BNSF rail's AI-powered logistics to Duracell's renewable battery research. As Buffett concluded: Real progress happens when competitors become collaborators.