WTO: Trump Admin offers explanation for blocking Okonjo-Iweala’s recommendation as Director-General

Posted by admin Africa & World Politics, American Politics, Latest Politics, NNP News, Top Stories, Women Politics Friday, October 30th, 2020

(NNP) After days of silence, the Trump administration has finally released a statement explaining its reason for preferring the South Korean candidate, Yoo Myung-hee, for the Director-General’s position of the World Trade Organization. The U.S. preference goes against the overwhelming recommendation of Nigeria’s Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala by the majority of the 164 nations. A statement from the Office of the United States Trade Representative given to NNP read, “the United States supports the selection of Korean Trade Minister Yoo Myung-hee as the next WTO Director-General.” The statement further noted that the United States’ support comes on the knowledge that she has the experience to lead the world trade body through its many challenges as the trade minister for her country.

The statement continued, “This is a very difficult time for the WTO and international trade, WTO is badly in need of major reform. 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 United States believes that the organization “must be led by someone with real, hands-on experience in the field.”

Dr. Okonjo-Iweala is a two-time finance minister and foreign minister and was a Managing Director for the World Bank, a position that made her the second in command at the bank. The world trade body has set Nov. 9 to resolve the leadership impasse.

-NewNigerianPoliticswp_posts