AFP, Washington :
The International Monetary Fund renewed its warnings against protectionism on Thursday as nationalist political trends threaten trade integration on both sides of the Atlantic.
As the IMF and World Bank kicked off what are normally staid meetings, with central bankers and finance ministers from 189 member countries gathering in Washington, anti-free trade rhetoric in the United States and Europe created a tense atmosphere.
In her opening remarks, Christine Lagarde, the IMF managing director, tried to downplay differences with new US President Donald Trump’s administration over trade, financial regulation and climate change.
The fund this week bumped up its forecasts for global economic growth slightly to 3.5 percent for this year, a recently rare upward revision reflecting a rosier view of conditions in Asia and Europe.
But while acknowledging disillusionment with globalization, Lagarde said member countries should avoid the lure of trade barriers.
“All countries, of course, should guard against what I have called the self-inflicted wounds, such as restrictions, subsidies and other trade distortions that reduce competition and economic openness,” she said.
Lagarde’s remarks came as Britain heads toward an exit from the European Union and France prepares to stage presidential elections that also raise the prospect of quitting the bloc.
The United States is the IMF’s largest single shareholder and holds veto power on the fund’s board.
But Trump won the White House on a nationalist economic agenda and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross this week dismissed some IMF concerns as “rubbish.”
Nevertheless, Lagarde said Thursday she believes the Trump administration could be an effective partner.
“From the various contacts that I have had with the administration so far, I have every reason to believe we will make progress,” she said.
The fund would press for “a fair and level playing field,” she added, saying that that meant “no use of distortive measures, no protectionist measures going forward.”
The International Monetary Fund renewed its warnings against protectionism on Thursday as nationalist political trends threaten trade integration on both sides of the Atlantic.
As the IMF and World Bank kicked off what are normally staid meetings, with central bankers and finance ministers from 189 member countries gathering in Washington, anti-free trade rhetoric in the United States and Europe created a tense atmosphere.
In her opening remarks, Christine Lagarde, the IMF managing director, tried to downplay differences with new US President Donald Trump’s administration over trade, financial regulation and climate change.
The fund this week bumped up its forecasts for global economic growth slightly to 3.5 percent for this year, a recently rare upward revision reflecting a rosier view of conditions in Asia and Europe.
But while acknowledging disillusionment with globalization, Lagarde said member countries should avoid the lure of trade barriers.
“All countries, of course, should guard against what I have called the self-inflicted wounds, such as restrictions, subsidies and other trade distortions that reduce competition and economic openness,” she said.
Lagarde’s remarks came as Britain heads toward an exit from the European Union and France prepares to stage presidential elections that also raise the prospect of quitting the bloc.
The United States is the IMF’s largest single shareholder and holds veto power on the fund’s board.
But Trump won the White House on a nationalist economic agenda and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross this week dismissed some IMF concerns as “rubbish.”
Nevertheless, Lagarde said Thursday she believes the Trump administration could be an effective partner.
“From the various contacts that I have had with the administration so far, I have every reason to believe we will make progress,” she said.
The fund would press for “a fair and level playing field,” she added, saying that that meant “no use of distortive measures, no protectionist measures going forward.”
