Washington — In its 70-year history, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has been no stranger to financial crises and policy disputes but now faces a new challenge: a US administration fundamentally opposed to some of its most important positions. With the IMF’s 189 members due to stage a semi-annual meeting in Washington this week, there has been no shortage of divergences with the White House. The Trump administration has vowed to dismantle much of the financial regulation put in place after the 2008 financial crisis. But the IMF warns darkly that excessive deregulation could "increase the likelihood" of another meltdown. The IMF warns of the economic dangers of climate change. But the Trump administration casts doubt on its existence and seeks to revive its coal industry while threatening to withdraw from the 2015 Paris Agreement on emissions. It is nevertheless the volatile question of global trade that holds the greatest potential for friction between the IMF and its largest ...
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