Forced to come to an understanding with the Trump administration, the IMF becomes a fan of Javier Milei.

If there are any signs at the close of the International Monetary Fund meeting in Washington that the Trump administration is already easing its attack on everything these institutions represent, the IMF is also doing its part. The age of socially and environmentally conscious prescriptions is coming to an end, and a modus vivendi is being sought with the new ultraconservative populism both within the US and abroad.

IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva acknowledged criticism from U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent of the “social, gender, and climate change policies” in the fund’s programs and proposed a dialogue. “The United States is not just our most important partner, it’s where we all live,” Georgieva said, referring to the more than 10,000 staff members working at the IMF and World Bank headquarters, whose jobs—even residency permits—seemed to be in jeopardy a few weeks ago as Elon Musk’s chainsaw wound its way into multilateral bureaucracies.

The rhetoric of Washington's two largest financial institutions—both subject to a US veto—is moving away from issues of equity and climate sustainability. "People are wrong; we don't have climate experts," Georgieva defended herself. World Bank President Ajay Banga, for his part, has expunged the word "climate" from his speeches.

“Six months ago, Banga was the savior of the planet; now he's talking about growth and entrepreneurship. It's clear they're ready to settle,” said Richard Kozul-Wright, an economist at Boston University.

It's the new arrangement with the White House in which the social and environmental agenda is offered as a sacrifice to Trumpism. Bessent, returning the favor, reiterated the importance of the IMF and the World Bank, institutions that, he said, have "lasting value."

After the fears felt at the top of the IMF and World Bank regarding the possibility of Trump withdrawing from the institutions' capital, senior fund officials seemed satisfied with the new deal.

The most shocking concession to the new populist right comes with Argentina. Aware that the IMF is risking its credibility by lending Argentina another $20 billion under heavy pressure from the Trump administration, Georgieva lavished praise on Milei's adjustments. She even pinned a chainsaw badge on her jacket, given to her by Federico Sturzenegger, the Minister of Deregulation in Milei's administration. The IMF has published an optimistic growth forecast of 5.5% for Argentina this year.

Bessent, who traveled to Buenos Aires last week to support the controversial Argentine president, would have expected nothing less.

Georgieva applauded the ultra-liberal Milei's plan to "remove the state from where it shouldn't be." Then, flouting the protocol regarding the IMF's non-intervention in political processes, she indirectly asked for a vote for Milei in the October legislative elections.

"Let's hope the elections (in October) don't derail the desire for change," he said. "We call on the Argentine people to stay the course."