US, Donald Trump Move To Block Okonjo-Iweala's Appointment As WTO Director-General

United States is against the appointment of Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as the new Director-General (DG) of the World Trade Organization (WTO). AllNews had reported that Okonjo-Iweala was elected WTO DG, however, Donald Trump is not in support of the decision.

It was gathered that representatives of the US stated the Okonjo-Iweala will not be recognised by the US, and this could cost Okonjo-Iweala the WTO Director-General seat. In a previous report, AllNews stated that to become WTO DG, a candidate must get the unanimous support of all WTO members.

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US Write To Support South Korea's Yoo Myung-hee

The US is backing South Korea's Yoo Myung-hee, while the European Union, African countries, Japan, China, and most of the WTO members are backing Okonjo-Iweala. But with the US in support of Myung-hee, Okonjo-Iweala's chances are slim.

In a statement seen by AllNews and shared by Bryce Baschuk, the US said, "The United States supports the selection of Korean Trade Minister, Yoo Myung-hee as the next WTO Director General. Minister Yoo is a bona fide trade expert who has distinguished herself during her 25-year career as a successful trade negotiator and trade policymaker. She has all the skills necessary to be an effective leader of the organisation."

European Union Against US Preferred Candidate

Meanwhile, the European Union representatives have stated a week ago that "We appreciated, in particular, the vision that Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala presented in tackling the substantial challenges the organisation is facing. Her assessment of the existing problems of the organisation reveals a deep understanding of the fault lines dividing the WTO’s membership.

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“The priorities she set up for her first steps after being appointed for the position reveal a clear-eyed agenda, tackling head-on key topics such as special and differential treatment, industrial subsidies and dispute settlement reform, while recognising the need for positive momentum through the conclusion of agreements on such issues as fisheries, e-commerce, and health.” EU said about Okonjo-Iweala.

The election for the position had seen five candidates eliminated, with just Okonjo-Iweala and Myung-hee reaching the final two - the new WTO Director-General will be announced next month, November 2020. The announcement of the new WTO head will now be announced on November 9, 2020, by the General Counsel of WTO.