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's managing director, tried to downplay differences with the new Trump administration over trade, financial regulation and climate change.
The fund this week bumped up its forecasts for global growth slightly to 3.5 percent for this year, a 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.
'We will make progress'
Lagarde's remarks come 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 US President Donald Trump rose to 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."
"We need to make sure that this momentum is sustained and that we continue to have that growth and, more importantly, that that growth is shared more equitably," Lagarde said.