WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump on Wednesday tapped a World Bank critic described as a “happy warrior” of pro-growth policies to lead one of the world’s primary development lending institutions. David Malpass, a senior official in the Treasury Department, is a controversial choice but if Trump wins the support of a majority the bank’s shareholders, especially European nations, he will have the opportunity to reshape the bank. Trump called Malpass “an extraordinary man” who and “the right person to take this incredibly important job.”

“America is the largest contributor to the World Bank,” he said. “My administration has made it a top priority to insure that US taxpayer’s dollars are spent effectively and wisely.”—AFP