The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has raised concerns over newly announced U.S. tariff measures, warning that they could threaten an already fragile global economic outlook.
In a statement issued Thursday, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said the institution is still analyzing the full macroeconomic impact of the tariffs, which were unveiled by the U.S. government on Wednesday.
However, she emphasized that the measures “clearly represent a significant risk to the global outlook at a time of sluggish growth.”
“It is important to avoid steps that could further harm the world economy,” Georgieva cautioned, urging the United States and its trading partners to seek a constructive resolution to ongoing trade tensions. “We appeal to the United States and its trading partners to work constructively to resolve trade tensions and reduce uncertainty.”
Georgieva added that the IMF’s assessment of the tariffs’ impact will be published in its upcoming World Economic Outlook, set to be released during the IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings later this month.
The warning from the IMF adds to growing concerns among economists and global leaders about the resurgence of protectionist policies and their potential to disrupt global supply chains, increase inflationary pressures, and slow down recovery in emerging markets.
