IMF pushes back on report that candidate dropped over tariff remarks

London School of Economics professor Ricardo Reis was set to take on the role when the IMF changed its position at the last minute, the Financial Times reported earlier Thursday.

The shift was due to Reis' earlier remarks that were critical of US President Donald Trump's tariffs, the FT added, citing people familiar with the situation.

The change initially sparked concern that the position would go to a candidate close to the Trump administration, but the FT noted these worries were eased after the IMF appointed Silvana Tenreyro -- also a well-regarded professor at the London School of Economics.

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

Kozack added that the fund's appointment of Tenreyro, who has been in the role for about a month now, came after a rigorous selection process.

Reis had warned that Trump's sweeping tariffs would cause consumer prices to climb, prompting a new wave of inflation, after the US leader unveiled wide-ranging levies last year.

The situation speaks to broader worries over the political climate that economists face in the United States under the Trump administration.

In February, White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett said the authors of a New York Federal Reserve study should "be disciplined" after their paper found that US firms and consumers shouldered most of the economic burden from tariffs.