WASHINGTON (Kyodo) -- The International Monetary Fund said Friday that global economic growth for 2025 is forecast at 3.3 percent, up 0.1 percentage point from its estimate in October, driven by the strong U.S. economy.

But the growth prospects for many other major economies, including Germany and Japan, were revised downward or kept at the same weak level. The IMF said world growth in 2026 is also expected to be 3.3 percent, unchanged from its previous estimate.

While global headline inflation is projected to fall to 4.2 percent in 2025 and 3.5 percent in 2026, the IMF warned in its latest World Economic Outlook report that multilateral cooperation is vital in sustaining growth and dealing with international challenges.

The quarterly report added that "trade policies should be consistent with the legal framework of the World Trade Organization" and "clear and transparent, to reduce uncertainty, lower volatility in markets and mitigate distortions."

The warnings came just before U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, known for his skepticism toward multilateral institutions and tariff-centric trade policies, takes office for a nonconsecutive second term on Monday.

Among major economies, the upward revision for the U.S. economy was notable. On the back of robust labor markets and demand, the IMF now expects the world's largest economy to grow 2.7 percent in 2025, 0.5 point higher than in the previous report, and 2.1 percent the following year, up 0.1 point.

While Japan's 2025 growth is forecast at 1.1 percent and 0.8 percent in 2026, both unchanged, Germany's projections for this year and next year were lowered by 0.5 point and 0.3 point, respectively, to growth estimates of 0.3 percent and 1.1 percent.

The Washington-based institution, meanwhile, revised upward this year's projection for China to 4.6 percent, up 0.1 point, citing a positive impact from a fiscal package it announced in November, largely offsetting adverse effects caused by persistent weakness in the property sector and consumer confidence.

The 2026 forecast for the world's second-largest economy was revised upward by 0.4 percent to 4.5 percent.