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New WTO DG was billed to emerge November 9
The Director-General of the World Trade Organization, WTO hopeful Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala will have to wait longer than November 9 to know her fate after the world trade body cancelled the meeting which would have made a formal decision on her appointment as the body’s next director-general after the United States rejected her as a candidate.
Reuters quoted trade sources as saying that they thought a factor in the delay was that there had been no indication the Trump administration – which will continue to govern trade policy in the weeks ahead irrespective of any U.S. election result – had switched its support to Okonjo-Iweala.
A WTO document seen by Reuters said: “For reasons including the health situation and current events, delegations will not be in a position to take a formal decision on 9 November.” It said it had been postponed until further notice.
As well as the impasse over the leadership, Geneva, home to the WTO, implemented COVID restrictions this week including a five-person cap on in-person meetings, although the organization has held many meetings virtually.
Read also, REVEALED: The real reason America rejected Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for WTO job
The WTO later confirmed the decision on its website, saying consultations would continue. The body usually chooses its new leader by consensus, with trade sources saying they would be reluctant to resort to a vote.
A high-powered WTO panel last month recommended Okonjo-Iweala for the WTO DG, a former finance minister, to lead the global trade watchdog, setting her up to become its first African and first woman head.
However, the U.S.-backed South Korean candidate Yoo Myung-hee has not withdrawn from the race, despite mounting diplomatic pressure.
There was no immediate comment from the U.S. Trade Representative’s office.
U.S. President Donald Trump has frequently criticized the WTO, calling it “horrible” and biased. His administration has already blocked judge appointments, disabling its top appeals panel last year.
Okonjo-Iweala, currently chairing the GAVI vaccine alliance board, has vowed “positivity all the way” on her Twitter feed.
“Dr. Ngozi is very grateful for the WTO’s support and she’s ready to get to work as soon as possible,” her spokeswoman Molly Toomey said.
The Geneva-based body has been run by four deputies since Brazil’s Roberto Azevedo stepped down a year earlier in August.
SOURCE: Reuters
