"We look forward to a (WTO) Hong Kong meeting that is successful," IMF spokesman Thomas Dawson said, declining to comment on the details of the negotiations. Dawson also told a regular press briefing the IMF is continuing an active dialogue with Argentina and declined to comment on the results of a weekend election there. He said the precise timing and next steps toward an IMF program for the country were up to the government to decide.
In response to a question about high oil prices, Dawson repeated the IMF's view that global economic growth will likely remain strong into next year, but said some countries are feeling more pinched than others.
"Obviously the oil price has a greater adverse effect on some countries, and we are mindful of that," he said.