WTO may seek to reappoint chief ahead of Trump presidency
The World Trade Organization (WTO) is set to convene a special meeting later this month to discuss the reappointment of its Director-General, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, according to a document released on Tuesday. The two-day meeting, scheduled for November 28-29, will provide Okonjo-Iweala, a former Nigerian finance minister, the opportunity to present her vision for the WTO and respond to questions from the organization’s 166 member states.
The timing of the meeting is seen as a potential strategy to expedite the decision-making process, ensuring that the reappointment does not face significant delays or challenges, particularly from the incoming administration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. Trade sources suggest that Trump’s team, which has previously criticized both Okonjo-Iweala and the WTO, could try to block her reappointment.
Okonjo-Iweala is the only candidate for the role, but her reappointment process has been closely watched due to past tensions. In 2020, during the Trump administration, the U.S. initially sought to block her appointment. It was only after President Joe Biden took office that the U.S. offered its support, allowing her to begin her first term.
Observers of the WTO expect that the coming months could be fraught with challenges, especially as Trump has signaled intentions to escalate trade tensions, including imposing a 10% tariff on all imports and higher tariffs on countries like China. Should Trump’s administration seek to oppose Okonjo-Iweala’s reappointment, it could set the stage for a contentious and potentially disruptive period for global trade.
The WTO document outlined that the first day of the meeting would allow Okonjo-Iweala to address delegates and present her vision for the organization’s future. The second day would be reserved for a possible vote on her reappointment, marking a critical juncture in the leadership of the global trade body.
As the meeting approaches, all eyes will be on the U.S. stance and whether Okonjo-Iweala can secure the backing needed to continue leading the WTO through increasingly uncertain times in global trade.
