NEW YORK, Aug 2 (Reuters) - Warren Buffett's Berkshire

Hathaway ( BRK/A ) said on Saturday that its consumer goods

businesses took a hit from U.S. President Donald Trump's trade

policy, which raised tariffs on imported goods.

The conglomerate's consumer products group, which includes

companies such as Fruit of the Loom, Jazwares and Brooks Sports,

posted a 5.1% revenue decline in the second quarter from a year

earlier to $189 million, due to lower volumes, tariffs and

business restructurings.

Berkshire said tariffs produced delays in orders and

shipments.

Still, the company said shoemaker Brooks' revenue increased

18.4% in the second quarter, as unit sales increased.

Buffett's conglomerate is closely watched by investors as

its vast array of businesses in different sectors is seen as a

microcosm of the broader U.S. economy.

In May, during Berkshire's annual meeting, Buffett strongly

defended free trade, saying tariffs should not be a "weapon",

adding: "Balanced trade is good for the world."

On Saturday, the conglomerate said its second-quarter

operating income fell 4% to $11.16 billion, or about $7,760 per

Class A share, from $11.6 billion a year earlier.