The IMF took a slightly more optimistic view of the economic fallout from the highest U.S. tariffs in more than a century, slashing growth forecasts for most countries in its World Economic Outlook but stopping far short of predicting recessions - even for the U.S. and export-dependent China, which now faces U.S. tariffs of 145% on many goods.

Bessent also told reporters that no decision has been made on whether to proceed with a $4 billion pledge to the World Bank's fund for the poorest countries made last year by former president Joe Biden.