Finance leaders from around the world are gathering in Washington this week for the semi-annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Group.

This year’s discussions are expected to be dominated by one pressing issue: tariffs.

On April 2, Trump announced tariffs of at least 10% on all goods entering the United States, affecting over 50 countries, including Nigeria, China, the United Kingdom, and Canada.

Some tariffs have reached as high as 50%, with China’s rates recently increased from 104% to 125%. These measures have sparked widespread concern among global leaders, who are now seeking ways to minimise the economic fallout.

The meetings, which include high-level talks and one-on-one negotiations, provide a platform for finance ministers to broker deals on project financing, foreign investment, and debt relief