The Bank of Japan should be flexible and data-dependent in proceeding with any further interest-rate hikes as US tariffs weigh on the economy and add to uncertainty, the International Monetary Fund urged.

The Bank of Japan is likely to push back the timing of further interest rate hikes as uncertainty triggered by U.S. tariffs has heightened downside risks to growth and inflation, a senior International Monetary Fund official said on Wednesday.

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.

Bessent spoke to the Institute of International Finance as both the International Monetary Fund and World Bank held their spring meetings in Washington. On Monday, the IMF downgraded its forecast of U.S. economic growth to 1.8% this year, a reduction from the 2.7% it estimated as recently as January.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Wednesday that the Trump administration planned to pursue reforms at the International Monetary Fund and World Bank to achieve a more “sustainable international economic system” that better serves the United States and other countries.