US refusal of Okonjo-Iweala confuses WTO leadership
Efforts by the World Trade Organisation, WTO, to elect a new leader were uncertain after the United States turned down an (Igbo) Nigerian woman proposed Wednesday as the next WTO head.
In the lead of the US presidential election, with trade becoming a popular question, Washington is striking another blow at the WTO, which was “horrible” by US President Donald Trump, and addicted to China.
The Trump administration blocked the appointment of an appeal committee, neutralizing the WTO’s role as a global trade broker. Now he threatens to do it without guidance for weeks or months.
The WTO meeting will take place on November 9, less than a week after the elections. He currently hopes to receive full support from Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. However, the decision must be approved by consensus, which means that one of the 164 WTO members can block the appointment.
Later, the US Trade Representative issued a statement in support of South Korean trade minister, Yoo Myung-Hee, and praised her for her successful trade deal and the skills needed to run a complex trade organisation.
Critics revealed in a possible study of the Nigerian candidate, that the latter has no technical expertise in multilateral trade negotiations; reacting that “It must be led by someone with real, hands-on experience in the field”.
It is unclear whether the results of the US vote will affect the US position on the Okonjo-Iweala appointment.
Mazi Ozoemela Chikwas reporting, Obinwannem News
