Katie Farmer: Our customers have adapted and adjusted to the tariffs

Summary

At the 2026 Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting, a shareholder asks about tariff relief for Berkshire's operating businesses. Greg Abel explains that the company was better prepared for tariffs this time and is managing through cost pressures. Katie Farmer notes that customers pulled forward shipments, causing a volume spike that later stabilized, and tariff uncertainty is keeping capital on the sidelines for manufacturing investments.

• Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting 2026 Q&A on tariffs.
• Shareholder asks about tariff relief for Berkshire's operating businesses.
• Greg Abel says Berkshire was better prepared this time and businesses are managing through cost pressures.
• Katie Farmer reports customers pulled forward shipments ahead of tariffs, volumes spiked then stabilized.
• Tariff uncertainty is keeping capital on the sidelines for manufacturing investment.
• Another executive notes auto sales down due to pull-forward effect.