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The United States is blocking the appointment of Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as the next head of the World Trade Organization despite the fact that the former Nigerian finance minister won overwhelming support from the 164 WTO members, it has emerged.
Ngozi had come one step closer to becoming the first woman and the first African to be the director of the world trade watchdog after gaining the support of a key group of trade ambassadors in Geneva. Polls taken by a selection panel of three WTO trade ministers found that Okonjo-Iweala had much more support than his South Korean rival, Yoo Myung-hee.
Sources said Ngozi was backed by countries in the Caribbean, Africa, the European Union, China, Japan and Australia.
However, his candidacy did not win the support of Washington, which raised last-minute objections to the process by which the new CEO was being elected. An original list of eight candidates, which included Britain’s Liam Fox, has been reduced to two final since the summer.
By tradition, the WTO elects its director-general by consensus, and all 164 members must approve a candidate. The United States has been unhappy with the way the WTO has operated for some time, objecting to China’s designation as a developing country and blocking the appointment of new judges to the organization’s appeals body.
Sources said it was unclear whether Washington’s opposition to Ngozi was a deliberate attempt to sabotage an organization heavily criticized by Donald Trump.
A WTO spokesman said his candidacy will be put to a meeting of the body’s general governing council on November 9, adding that there is likely to be “frenzied activity” in the meantime to secure consensus.
Should Washington argue that it will not support Ngozi, the WTO constitution eventually provides for a vote, although all previous CEOs in the organization’s 25-year history have been appointed by consensus and trade experts said the Life would be difficult if an appointment was made against the wishes of the United States.
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Sources in Geneva said the US position may be affected by the outcome of next week’s presidential election, which Joe Biden is currently expected to win.
A spokesperson for Ngozi said: “Dr. Ngozi is immensely honored to receive the endorsement of the WTO Selection Committee today.
“Dr. Ngozi looks forward to the general council on November 9, when the committee will recommend her appointment as managing director. A quick completion of the process will allow members to begin working together on pressing challenges and priorities. “
