Inflation may be on the retreat, but growth is slowing and debt is rising as the West and China square off ever more directly.

The International Monetary Fund warned that wars, trade tensions, high debt and low growth threaten to prolong a lackluster economic era and leave nations without the resources to reduce poverty and confront climate change.

The head of the International Monetary Fund cautioned on Thursday that high government debt and low growth remained major impediments to the global economy. Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva commended the work of major central banks in taming inflation,

The head of the IMF said the global economy is on track for a soft landing, but the outlook for growth is tepid and rising trade barriers are a headwind.