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.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Wednesday said IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva and World Bank President Ajay Banga are both good leaders but must earn the Trump administration's trust by refocusing the institutions on their core missions.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the U.S. remains committed to playing a leadership role in the IMF and World Bank but wants to see changes.