Washington D.C: The 2025 annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank are facing unexpected turbulence as renewed trade tensions between the United States and China dominate the agenda.

President Donald Trump recently announced plans to impose a 100% tariff on Chinese imports starting November 1, reigniting fears of a full-scale trade war. The move has sent global markets into turmoil and overshadowed discussions that were initially intended to focus on global economic stability and resilience.

In response, China has implemented additional port fees on vessels linked to the United States, escalating the standoff. Analysts warn that the sudden shift could derail prior optimism, as the IMF had earlier projected global growth for 2025 at 3.0%, buoyed by improved U.S.-China relations and reduced tariffs.

At the meetings, G7 finance ministers are expected to address stricter sanctions on Russia, while U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent aims to emphasize economic stability over climate and gender issues. Bessent is also pushing for stronger criticism of China’s economic policies, signaling a more assertive U.S. approach within international financial institutions.

Experts caution that the growing influence of the U.S. on IMF decisions may challenge the fund’s multilateral mission. As trade tensions continue, global markets and policymakers are bracing for developments that could have wide-reaching economic implications.