IMF Director Lagarde warns G20 leaders that trade tensions threaten global economy

International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde called on G20 leaders to urgently de-escalate trade tensions and reverse tariff hikes, warning that they risked slowing global growth.

"Pressures on emerging markets have been rising and trade tensions have begun to have a negative impact, increasing downside risks," Lagarde said in a statement issued at the conclusion of the G20 summit in Buenos Aires.