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IMF Says US Tax, Spending Bill Runs Counter to Deficit-Cutting Advice

Pens lay on a table before House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., arrives to sign President Donald Trump's signature bill of tax breaks and spending cuts, Thursday, July 3, 2025, at the Capitol in Washington. (AP)
Pens lay on a table before House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., arrives to sign President Donald Trump's signature bill of tax breaks and spending cuts, Thursday, July 3, 2025, at the Capitol in Washington. (AP)
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IMF Says US Tax, Spending Bill Runs Counter to Deficit-Cutting Advice

Pens lay on a table before House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., arrives to sign President Donald Trump's signature bill of tax breaks and spending cuts, Thursday, July 3, 2025, at the Capitol in Washington. (AP)
Pens lay on a table before House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., arrives to sign President Donald Trump's signature bill of tax breaks and spending cuts, Thursday, July 3, 2025, at the Capitol in Washington. (AP)

The massive US tax and spending bill slated for a final vote in Congress runs counter to the International Monetary Fund's recommendations that Washington reduce fiscal deficits over the medium term, IMF spokesperson Julie Kozack said on Thursday.

Kozack told a regular news briefing that there was a broad consensus that the Republican bill will add to US fiscal deficits, while the US needs to start a fiscal consolidation.

"From the IMF side, we have been consistent in saying that the US will need to reduce its fiscal deficit over time to put public debt-to-GDP on a decisive downward path," Kozack said. "Of course, the sooner that process starts to reduce the deficit, the more gradual the deficit reduction can be over time."

Kozack said that there were many policy options for the US to reduce deficits and debt, adding: "It is, of course, important to build consensus within the United States about how it will address its these chronic fiscal deficits."

In recent years, the IMF has recommended that the US raise taxes, including on middle income earners, to close fiscal deficits. The Republican tax bill extends 2017 tax cuts and adds new tax breaks for many Americans.

The IMF advice is at odds with the views of US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who has consistently said that he disagrees with traditional budget forecasts and believes that the so-called "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" will spur additional US economic growth that will boost revenues.

The United States is the biggest shareholder of the IMF. Bessent, who manages the US stake, has criticized the Fund for straying too far from its core economic stability and surveillance missions.

Kozack said that the IMF was examining details of the US legislation and the likely impact on the economy, and will incorporate its analysis into the late July update of its World Economic Outlook global growth forecasts.

The forecasts also will assess the state of play on US tariffs, after President Donald Trump's July 9 deadline to subject many countries to sharply higher duties unless they agree trade deals.

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Saudi Stock Market Edges Lower in First Session of the Week

An investor monitors a stock screen at the Saudi financial market in Riyadh (AFP)
An investor monitors a stock screen at the Saudi financial market in Riyadh (AFP)
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Saudi Stock Market Edges Lower in First Session of the Week

An investor monitors a stock screen at the Saudi financial market in Riyadh (AFP)
An investor monitors a stock screen at the Saudi financial market in Riyadh (AFP)

Saudi Arabia’s stock market index ended trading slightly lower, falling 0.25 percent to close at 10,968 points, amid trading turnover of around SAR2.9 billion, the lowest level since January 2026.

Mining giant Maaden fell 2 percent to close at SAR62.7, while SABIC declined by the same percentage to SAR59.4. Arabian Drilling slipped 1 percent to SAR86.6.

In the banking sector, Saudi National Bank shares fell 0.26 percent to SAR38.5.

Meanwhile, Saudi Aramco, the index’s heaviest-weighted stock, rose 0.3 percent to close at SAR27.78.

ACWA Power also gained 2 percent to SAR181.10.

Kingdom Holding rose 6 percent to SAR11.01, while Solutions climbed 4 percent to close at SAR229.6.

Business

Oman Inflation Rises 3.2% in April

Shoppers at a food and beverage store in Oman. (Reuters)
Shoppers at a food and beverage store in Oman. (Reuters)
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Oman Inflation Rises 3.2% in April

Shoppers at a food and beverage store in Oman. (Reuters)
Shoppers at a food and beverage store in Oman. (Reuters)

Oman’s consumer price index (CPI) rose 3.2 percent in April compared with the same month in 2025, based on 2018 as the reference year.

The National Center for Statistics and Information said in data carried by the Oman News Agency on Sunday that average inflation during the period from January through April increased by 2.6 percent.

The data showed that the miscellaneous personal goods and services group recorded the highest increase at 9.2 percent, followed by food and non-alcoholic beverages at 6.2 percent, and transport at 6 percent.

The food and non-alcoholic beverages group recorded increases across most categories in April compared with the same month last year, led by vegetables at 25 percent, followed by fruits at 11.6 percent, and fish and seafood at 6.1 percent.

The data also showed varying inflation rates across Oman’s governorates at the end of April compared with the corresponding period last year. Al Dhahirah Governorate recorded the highest increase at 4.4 percent, followed by Al Dakhiliyah and Muscat governorates at 3.7 percent, and Al Buraimi Governorate at 3.5 percent.

Business

Gulf, International Initiative to Assess War’s Impact on Private Sector

A previous meeting of the Federation of GCC Chambers in Riyadh. (SPA)
A previous meeting of the Federation of GCC Chambers in Riyadh. (SPA)
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Gulf, International Initiative to Assess War’s Impact on Private Sector

A previous meeting of the Federation of GCC Chambers in Riyadh. (SPA)
A previous meeting of the Federation of GCC Chambers in Riyadh. (SPA)

Asharq Al-Awsat has learned of a joint initiative by the Federation of GCC Chambers and the International Labor Organization to conduct a rapid assessment of the impact of the war on the private sector and labor markets across Gulf Cooperation Council countries.

The initiative is expected to contribute directly to the formulation of actionable recommendations aimed at preserving labor market stability and supporting business continuity.

The initiative seeks to assess the impact of the current crisis and conflict on private sector institutions, with particular focus on small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as on labor markets across GCC states.

According to the information obtained, the Federation of GCC Chambers has asked private sector companies and institutions across member states to document the impact of the war, whether they market their products domestically or in regional and international markets.

The federation is also seeking to determine the effects of the current regional crisis on supply chains and private sector operations, including delays in receiving imported inputs, shortages of critical materials affecting operations, higher transportation and logistics costs, and disruptions in the distribution of goods and services to markets and customers.

It is also examining the direct impact of disruptions to maritime trade routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, on businesses, particularly in terms of rerouting shipments through alternative routes or transport methods, difficulties shipping or receiving goods by sea, increased shipping and insurance costs, declining import and export volumes, and shipment or order delays and cancellations.

The federation has further requested information on the extent to which the crisis has affected overall operating expenses, whether significantly, moderately or not at all, as well as its impact on companies’ investment plans, including whether firms intend to cancel, reduce or indefinitely postpone investments, or instead increase spending to adapt, restructure or respond to new conditions.

Among the challenges the federation is seeking to assess are companies’ ability to cover operating and fixed costs, revenue conditions, and the immediate measures taken regarding their workforce in response to the crisis, including reducing working hours, shifting employees to part-time arrangements, freezing recruitment and hiring, cutting wages and benefits, or reallocating staff to different roles and functions.

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Albudaiwi recently said that a series of Gulf economic and financial achievements had strengthened regional integration and reinforced financial stability in the face of evolving challenges.

Speaking during the 125th meeting of the GCC Financial and Economic Cooperation Committee in mid-May, Albudaiwi said the current war crisis requires Gulf states to move beyond traditional coordination toward a higher level of practical integration and effective response.

He said the accelerating crises and growing economic challenges facing the region underscore the urgent need for a conscious response and measures capable of mitigating their impact on GCC economies, which have long been characterized by openness and deep engagement with the global economy.

Albudaiwi also stressed the need to expedite the completion of key joint Gulf projects, including transportation and logistics initiatives, while accelerating implementation of the GCC railway project and strengthening the regional electricity interconnection network.

He further called for studying the establishment of oil and gas pipeline networks, a GCC water interconnection project, strategic Gulf stockpile zones, and measures to ensure adequate liquidity reserves at central banks.