Global Finance Chiefs Wait on Trump and Xi as Trade War Simmers

After a week of talks dominated by trade spats and geopolitical distrust, finance chiefs were once again left hanging on the outcome of a potential meeting between the leaders of the world’s two largest economies.

In Washington, the mood at World Bank and International Monetary Fund gatherings was a mix of relief that US President Donald Trump’s tariffs hadn’t caused a deeper slowdown and dread about the risks ahead.

Policymakers left town hoping that Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping will meet at the end of the month, resigned to the reality that the outlook for the global economy ...