Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, Kristalina Georgieva, on Thursday cautioned that the new United States tariffs “clearly represent a significant risk to the global outlook” and called on Washington to cooperate with its trade partners.
Georgieva in a statement responded for the first time to President Donald Trump’s latest global tariffs, which have heightened trade tensions and raised concerns about a possible global recession and rising inflation.
She warned that the tariffs “clearly represent a significant risk to the global outlook at a time of sluggish growth,” and urged the U.S. to engage constructively with its trade partners.
“It is important to avoid steps that could further harm the world economy,” Georgieva added.
“We appeal to the United States and its trading partners to work constructively to resolve trade tensions and reduce uncertainty.”
In January, the Washington-based institution projected global growth at 3.3 per cent for the year—below the 3.7 per cent average seen in the first two decades of the 21st century.
The Fund is set to release an updated outlook later this month ahead of the Spring Meetings in Washington, where the U.S.’s sweeping tariff measures are expected to dominate discussions.
