The head of the International Monetary Fund, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, yesterday expressed mixed emotions about the rallying cry for financial regulation issued by US President Barack Obama as leading nations remained split on the issue.
Mr Strauss-Kahn said he was worried Mr Obama's plan “comes too soon”. “Countries moving quickly makes it more difficult to have a global answer,” he said, but added that what Mr Obama wanted was “not too far from what we are proposing – so it doesn't create a big problem”.
His comments come days after the IMF caused a stir with a report suggesting two new taxes on banks to pay for and prevent crises, and as the IMF – with its sister institution, the World Bank – holds its spring meetings in Washington.