IMF, World Bank meetings clouded by wars, slow economic growth, US election

Global finance leaders meet in Washington this week to address global growth, debt, and green energy amid uncertainties from conflicts, a slowing Chinese economy, and the potential impact of the U.S. election on trade and climate policies.

Global finance leaders will convene in Washington this week amid significant uncertainty driven by conflicts in the Middle East and Europe, a weakening Chinese economy, and concerns that the upcoming U.S. presidential election could spark new trade disputes and undermine international cooperation.

The annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank are set to bring together over 10,000 participants from finance ministries, central banks, and civil society groups to address challenges such as uneven global growth, managing debt crises, and financing the transition to green energy. 

The key issue looming over the discussions is the potential impact of a U.S. presidential win by Republican candidate Donald Trump, which could disrupt the global economic landscape through significant new tariffs, increased U.S. borrowing, and reduced climate cooperation.

"The U.S. election, arguably the most critical issue for the global economy, is not officially on the agenda, but it's on everyone's mind," noted Josh Lipsky, a former IMF official now with the Atlantic Council's GeoEconomics Center. 

Democratic candidate and current U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to continue the Biden administration’s focus on multilateral cooperation in areas like climate, taxes, and debt relief if she wins. 

The meetings, which begin on Monday and gain momentum later in the week, are likely to be U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen's last, as she has indicated she will retire from public service at the end of President Joe Biden’s term in January.

Meanwhile, rising anti-China trade sentiment and industrial strategies from wealthy nations, highlighted by the Biden administration’s tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, semiconductors, and solar products, are anticipated to be major discussion points during the sessions.

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