Portuguese economist Ricardo Reis is reported to have been removed from the race for the post of chief economist at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) after criticising Donald Trump’s tariffs.
According to the Financial Times, which cites three anonymous sources, Ricardo Reis had been lined up for the role, but the IMF is said to have backed away after learning of the economist’s views on US trade policy.
Ricardo Reis, a professor at the London School of Economics, had warned that the tariffs could push up prices in the United States and trigger a new wave of inflation.
Meanwhile, in July, the IMF eventually appointed Silvana Tenreyro to the post, a former Bank of England policymaker and professor at the London School of Economics.
According to sources quoted by the British newspaper, Silvana Tenreyro also believes that tariffs hold back economic growth but is thought to be less critical of the Trump administration than the Portuguese academic.
Ricardo Reis declined to comment on the story or make any statements to the Financial Times.
The case comes against a backdrop of pressure from the Trump administration on economists who are critical of US tariffs.
The IMF refused to comment on the selection process, citing confidentiality, and insisted that the choice had been "rigorous and competitive".
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