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The United States has rejected the leading candidate to head the World Trade Organization, challenging the other 160 member nations of the body and leaving the outcome of the race uncertain.
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Nigeria’s former finance minister, has attracted more widespread support for becoming the next CEO than her rival, Yoo Myung-hee of South Korea, the WTO said on Wednesday. But the United States has refused to back it, a move that delays a decision on the process until after next week’s US presidential election.
The process requires all WTO members to reach consensus, rather than involve a formal vote. Candidates from Egypt, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Moldova and Kenya were eliminated in previous rounds.
In recent days, three top WTO ambassadors dubbed “the troika” have been holding private consultations among members of the Geneva-based body to determine which of the two remaining candidates attracts the most support.
Ms. Okonjo-Iweala, who holds US and Nigerian citizenship, has emphasized her experience as a managing director of the World Bank and her role as chair of the board of Gavi, a public-private partnership to develop vaccines for low-income countries. The push to create a Covid-19 vaccine has sparked a debate over patents, which are protected by WTO agreements.
But Keith Rockwell, a WTO spokesman, said US delegates backed Ms. Yoo for her 25 years of trading experience; she currently serves as South Korea’s trade minister. “[They said] she could start working, “Rockwell said. “They said they couldn’t back Dr. Ngozi. I don’t know the reasons for that. “
In a statement, the US Trade Representative’s office confirmed Washington’s support for Ms Yoo, describing her as a “bona fide trade expert” and arguing that the WTO was facing a “difficult time” and it should be “run by someone with real hands -on experience in the field.”
WTO members will meet shortly on November 9.
The position became available due to the unexpected anticipated resignation of Roberto Azevêdo, a Brazilian who had held the position since 2013. He had one more year left in his term, but he resigned in September.
Currently, the organization does not have an interim CEO after China vetoed a US suggestion that American Alan Wolff, one of the deputy CEOs, take over in an interim capacity.
The new CEO will take office at a time when the WTO’s ability to promote rules-based trade has been undermined by geopolitical tensions, including China’s model of capitalism and the propensity of US President Donald Trump. , to take unilateral measures to counteract perceived evils. treatment of American companies.
They will also face a turbulent economic outlook as the coronavirus pandemic causes increasing damage to global growth.
Additional reporting by Jim Brunsden in Brussels
