IMF warns of trade dispute disruptions

Escalating disputes between China and the United States could significantly weaken sentiment in business and financial markets, disrupt global supply chains and create an economic drag this year, the International Monetary Fund warned on Friday.

The IMF research, citing official data, found that the revenue collected by the US government through hefty tariffs on Chinese imports, has been paid almost entirely by US importers.

"Some of these tariffs have been passed on to US consumers, such as those on washing machines, while others have been absorbed by importing firms through lower profit margins," the research said.