Warren Buffett's Wealth Surges $12.7 Billion Amid Trump's Tariff-Induced Market Volatility

Amidst market turmoil triggered by President Trump's tariffs in early April 2025, Warren Buffett's net worth increased by $12.7 billion, reaching $155 billion and equaling Bill Gates' wealth. This occurred as the world's 500 richest individuals collectively lost $536 billion. Berkshire Hathaway's substantial cash reserves, built up through strategic stock sales including a reduction in its Apple stake in 2024, shielded it from the widespread losses. In 2024, Berkshire Hathaway sold $134 billion in equities and increased its cash pile to a record $334 billion. Specifically, Berkshire reduced its Apple holdings by approximately 50% during the first half of 2024. This reduction continued through the third quarter of 2024, with holdings decreasing from $84.2 billion to $69.9 billion even as Apple's stock value increased. While Trump has stated that market dips demonstrate the effectiveness of his tariff strategy, Buffett's moves to preserve capital have proven beneficial during this period of economic uncertainty.