IMF head issues dire warning about tariffs, ‘uncertainty' in the global economy: ‘Buckle up'

Core Insights - The global economy is performing better than anticipated despite significant shocks, but the resilience may not be sustainable, according to Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the IMF [1][3] - Gold prices have surged to $4,000 an ounce, indicating investor concerns over a weaker dollar and geopolitical uncertainties [1] - The IMF forecasts a 3% growth for the global economy this year, attributing this to decisive economic policies, private sector adaptation, and less severe impacts from tariffs than initially feared [3] Economic Policies and Tariffs - Georgieva highlighted that the full effects of President Trump's tariffs are yet to be realized, with potential implications for inflation and monetary policy in the US [4][10] - The tariffs have created global uncertainty, affecting trade frameworks with countries like the UK and Vietnam [5] - There is a risk of additional tariff hikes due to a surplus of goods that were initially intended for the US market [6] Youth Discontent and Global Protests - There is a growing trend of youth discontent globally, with young people demanding better opportunities as they face a future of potentially lower earnings than their parents [7] - This discontent is manifesting in protests across various cities worldwide, indicating a significant socio-economic challenge [7] US Federal Debt Concerns - The US federal debt has escalated dramatically, from $380 billion in 1925 to $37.64 trillion in 2025, raising concerns about fiscal sustainability [8] - The Congressional Budget Office projects that Trump's tax and spending policies will add $3.4 trillion to the national debt by 2034 [8]