WASHINGTON — The Trump administration is considering filling the No. 2 job at the International Monetary Fund with Geoffrey Okamoto, a 35-year-old acting assistant secretary at the U.S. Treasury, three people familiar with the selection process said. The move could strengthen the Republican administration's influence over the IMF, an institution Trump officials view as an ally in their efforts to rein in China's trade and economic practices. If appointed, Okamoto would replace David Lipton as the IMF's longest-serving first deputy managing director, whose departure was announced on Friday, 19 months before the end of his official term. Lipton, 66, started his career as an economist at the IMF and later served as a top U.S. Treasury official under President Bill Clinton and as a White House adviser under President Barack Obama, both Democratic administrations.

Source: International New York Times February 11, 2020 23:37 UTC