IMF Pulls Back Expectations of US Economic Growth

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By Chris Lange Updated Published
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The International Monetary Foundation (IMF) lowered its forecast for U.S. economic growth for this year to 2.1%, down from the previous estimate of 2.3%. This is ultimately the result of the president’s tax reform agenda, which currently is up the in the air.

IMF officials close to the matter noted that many of the details about these plans have still yet to be decided. Although, the president already has said that the broad principles of this plan would be simplifying taxes, rebuilding roads and bridges, and lowering government spending.

Back in January, the IMF had raised its growth projection in the United States under the working assumption that a Republican in the White House and a Republican-controlled Congress would be able to pass tax reform.

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On the other hand, the president has made promises to promote U.S. economic growth. He has gone as far to say that U.S. economic growth will be up to 3% during his first term. However, the IMF believes that this 3% goal is largely “optimistic.”

IMF officials believe that it would be challenging to reach 3% growth, considering the U.S. job market is already at full employment, along with a large share of baby boomers retiring and slow gains in productivity.

Many economists, not just at the IMF, but at the Federal Reserve as well, are calling for U.S. economic growth to be roughly 2% over the next few years.

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Photo of Chris Lange
About the Author Chris Lange →

Chris Lange is a writer for 24/7 Wall St., based in Houston. He has covered financial markets over the past decade with an emphasis on healthcare, tech, and IPOs. During this time, he has published thousands of articles with insightful analysis across these complex fields. Currently, Lange's focus is on military and geopolitical topics.

Lange's work has been quoted or mentioned in Forbes, The New York Times, Business Insider, USA Today, MSN, Yahoo, The Verge, Vice, The Intelligencer, Quartz, Nasdaq, The Motley Fool, Fox Business, International Business Times, The Street, Seeking Alpha, Barron’s, Benzinga, and many other major publications.

A graduate of Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, Lange majored in business with a particular focus on investments. He has previous experience in the banking industry and startups.

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