The International Monetary Fund said on Thursday that it welcomes the initial positive dialogue between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, adding that reducing tension and uncertainty between the world's two largest economies was good for the world. "It's very important, of course, that the world's two largest economies are engaging at the highest level," IMF spokesperson Julie Kozack told a news briefing when asked about the Trump-Xi summit's initial outcomes in Beijing. "We certainly welcome the fact that there's a constructive dialogue between the two countries. Anything that is going to help reduce trade tensions and reduce uncertainty is good for both of those large economies, and, of course, good for the global economy as well," Kozack added, according to Reuters. Kozack also said that that the IMF was paying close attention to the energy shock caused by the conflict in the Middle East and its implications for fertilizer shipments. History showed it took about six months for increases in fertilizer prices to translate into higher food prices, and in some cases reduced yields and food security issues, Kozack added.
