World Economic Leaders Gather in Washington Amid Trade Crisis

President Donald Trump is meeting with top executives from major retailers such as Walmart, Target, Home Depot, and Lowe’s to discuss the impact of his administration’s sweeping tariffs, which have disrupted global supply chains and challenged retailers’ import-heavy business models. These discussions occur as hundreds of world finance leaders gather in Washington for the IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings, where tariffs and trade tensions are overshadowing traditional topics. Trump’s new tariffs, announced in April and affecting over 50 countries with some rates as high as 125% for China, have sparked economic uncertainty and concerns among both businesses and global policymakers. The international community is seeking ways to mitigate the fallout, with many countries pursuing bilateral negotiations with the US even as multilateral coordination falters. The situation is described as unprecedented, with trade wars dominating conversations and raising questions about the future of US economic leadership in the global order.