The message from U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to his fellow economic policymakers a year ago came as a welcome surprise ¡ª that ¡°America First does not mean America alone¡± and that the U.S. is ¡°doubling down on our engagement with the international economic system.¡±
That pledge rang hollow in the midst of a worldwide energy crisis 12 months later, according to several officials visiting Washington this week.
Around the spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank, some finance ministry officials grumbled privately that Bessent gave short shrift to talks including the Group of Seven and Group of 20 while juggling domestic duties.
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