Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has played a balancing act trying to reassure nervous investors that the U.S. would maintain its global leadership role while staying true to the Trump administration’s skepticism of multilateral banking organizations.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called for a course correction for the International Monetary Fund and World Bank, while saying they serve “critical roles” and the Trump administration is willing to work with them.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent spoke Wednesday to international economists attending IMF and World Bank spring meetings in Washington D.C. this week, telling them the Trump administration wants to overhaul these institutions to create a more "sustainable international economic system.