The United States has vetoed the appointment of Nigeria’s former Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as World Trade Organization (WTO) Director General.
The WTO nominations committee had, on Wednesday, recommended Okonjo-Iweala to its 164 member countries for appointment as Director General.
However, the United States has reiterated its support for South Korea’s Yoo Myung-Hee as the next head of World Trade Organization (WTO).
Office of the US Trade Representative, in a statement, said the organisation “must be led by someone with real, hands-on experience in the field”.
It said Yoo had “distinguished herself” as a trade expert and “has all the skills necessary to be an effective leader of the organisation.
“This is a very difficult time for the WTO and international trade”, the statement read.
“There have been no multilateral tariff negotiations in 25 years, the dispute settlement system has gotten out of control, and too few members fulfill basic transparency obligations. The WTO is badly in need of major reform.”
Office of the US Trade Representative advises President Donald Trump on trade policy and it has explained its endorsement of Yoo to lead the body handling global trade.
A source said Okonjo-Iweala is seen as a seasoned international diplomat but does not have much experience on trade matters or the WTO. So, Washington seems to favour somebody who knows the WTO, adding that the US alliance with South Korea is another important factor in its support.
With the veto by US, which means members have failed to reach consensus, the rule requires that the Council would fall back to voting to select the ultimate winner at the meeting of the WTO General Council already scheduled for November 9.
