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.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the institutions “serve critical roles in the international system. And the Trump administration is eager to work with them — so long as they can stay true to their missions.

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.