The US government has advanced reasons why it opposed the emergence of Nigeria’s former Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as the new Director General of the World Trade Organisation (DG WTO).
The US Office of the representative on WTO made this known in a statement on Wednesday.
In what many considered a landslide victory for the renowned development expert, having secured much more than half of the expected votes to be announced winner, the US office position dealt her a major setback.
It said that it supports the selection of South Korean Trade Minister, Yoo Myung-Hee as the DG WTO because she is “a bonafide trade expert who has distinguished herself during a 25-year career as a successful trade negotiator and trade policy-maker.”
The US added that Myung-Hee has the relevant qualifications and skills to lead the Organisation.
It also said in a statement that “this is a very difficult time for the WTO and international trade.”
“There have been no multilateral tariff negotiations in 25 years, the dispute settlement system has gotten out of control and too, few members fulfil basic transparency obligations.”
“The statement also added that the WTO is badly in need of major reforms, it must be led by someone with real hands-on experience in the field.”
This last minute objection by the US is in spite of the Former Nigerian Minister’s support by a key group of trade ambassadors in Geneva.
Speaking on behalf of WTO, a spokesperson said on Wednesday that Okonjo-Iweala’s candidacy would be put to a meeting of the Organisation’s governing general council on the 9th of November.
The position of Director General became vacant when the last DG, Roberto Azevedo, a Brazilian reigned in September, one year before the end of his tenure.
In much the same manner, the US opposed the candidacy of Nigerian-born Akinwumi Adesina as President of the AFDB. The attempts were made twice. First in 2015 and then in 2020.
However, Adesina came victorious each time time. It is expected that Okonjo-Iweala will also emerge winner in her own bid.
Read also:
Excitement as Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Is Set to Be WTO DG, One of two Standing
Why US Opposed Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s Emergence as WTO DG
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