IMF drops Ricardo Reis over Trump tariff criticism before appointing Silvana Tenreyro
The IMF removed Portuguese economist Ricardo Reis from the chief economics race after he warned that US tariffs would cause inflation. The organization later appointed Silvana Tenreyro to the role.
Portuguese economist Ricardo Reis has been dropped from the competition for the International Monetary Fund's chief economist position following disputes over Donald Trump's tariff policies. Reports indicate the IMF withdrew its support after discovering his specific warnings regarding American trade policy. As a professor at the London School of Economics, Reis cautioned that US tariffs could raise domestic prices and restart inflationary trends. The selection process faced scrutiny due to reported pressure on economists criticizing Washington's trade agenda. Despite these concerns, Silvana Tenreyro was selected in July. A former Bank of England policymaker and fellow LSE professor, Tenreyro shares the view that tariffs hinder growth but is perceived as less critical of the Trump administration than Reis. The organization declined to discuss its internal hiring procedures, stating the process remained rigorous. The selection occurred against a backdrop of ongoing friction between international financial experts and US trade policy.
