Bessent to miss IMF and World Bank annual meetings in Bangkok
In short
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will miss the IMF and World Bank annual meetings beginning in Bangkok on October 12, Japanese outlets reported. The Treasury's deputy secretary and undersecretary for international affairs will attend, according to Nikkei and TBS NEWS DIG.
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US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will not attend the IMF and World Bank annual meetings in Bangkok, Nikkei reported, citing a Treasury announcement on October 9. The meetings are scheduled for October 12–18. The Treasury's deputy secretary and undersecretary for international affairs will represent the United States, according to Nikkei and a TBS NEWS DIG report citing Reuters. A G20 meeting of finance ministers and central-bank governors is scheduled for October 15, Nikkei said. [ 1 , 2 ]
TBS NEWS DIG said the reason for Bessent's absence had not been disclosed, but interpreted the decision as prioritising domestic matters as the November 3 US midterm elections approach. A Kyodo report carried by Tokyo Shimbun likewise described domestic work as the apparent priority, citing a US government official on the absence. Both reports noted interest in whether Bessent would meet Japan's finance minister during the gathering; TBS also mentioned a possible meeting with the Bank of Japan governor. [ 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The meetings also include a G20 gathering of finance ministers and central-bank governors. Japanese coverage had highlighted whether Bessent would meet Japan's finance minister during the gathering.
Key facts
- The US Treasury said on October 9 that Bessent would not attend the annual meetings, Nikkei reported. [ 1 ]
- The IMF and World Bank annual meetings are scheduled for October 12–18 in Bangkok. [ 1 ]
- The Treasury's deputy secretary and undersecretary for international affairs will attend. [ 1 , 2 ]
- A G20 finance-minister and central-bank-governor meeting is scheduled for October 15. [ 1 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- The precise reason for Bessent's absence was not clear. TBS NEWS DIG said the reason had not been disclosed; it and Tokyo Shimbun interpreted the decision as prioritising domestic work ahead of the November 3 midterm elections.