The outbreak of new coronavirus COVID-19 has already disrupted economic growth in China, and further spread to other countries could derail a "highly fragile" projected recovery in the global economy in 2020, the International Monetary Fund warned Wednesday.
In a note for G20 finance ministers and central bankers, the global lender mapped out many risks facing the global economy, including the disease and a renewed spike in U.S.-China trade tensions as well as climate-related disasters.
IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said the outbreak was a stark reminder of how unforeseen events could threaten a fragile recovery, and urged G20 policymakers to work to reduce other uncertainties linked to trade, climate change and inequality.