IMF rejects claim tariff criticism cost Reis role

The International Monetary Fund pushed back Thursday on a Financial Times report that London School of Economics professor Ricardo Reis was dropped as its lead candidate for chief economist after criticising US President Donald Trump's tariff policies.

IMF spokesperson Julie Kozack told reporters that the fund "does not disqualify candidates because of their academic research, including research that may be critical of policies pursued by our membership."

The Financial Times reported that Reis had been set to take the role before the IMF changed position at the last minute, citing people familiar with the situation. It said the shift was linked to Reis's earlier criticism of Trump's tariffs.

Kozack said the IMF's appointment of Silvana Tenreyro, also a London School of Economics professor, followed a rigorous selection process. Tenreyro has been in the role for about a month.

The Financial Times said concern that the job might go to a candidate close to the Trump administration eased after Tenreyro's appointment.

Reis had warned that Trump's broad tariffs, unveiled in 2025, would push consumer prices higher and trigger a new wave of inflation.