US blocks consensus to appoint Okonjo-Iweala WTO DG

The US government has blocked a move by Nigeria’s former Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to become the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, WTO.

Okonjo-Iweala, who obtained the US citizenship in 2019, was favoured to emerge the Director-General on Wednesday after a WTO nominations committee recommended that the group’s 164 members appoint her.

However, the US said it will not join the consensus to appoint Okonjo-Iweala and would continue to support her opponent, Yoo Myung-hee, South Korea’s Trade Minister.

A statement by the Office of the US Trade Representative, which advises President Donald Trump on trade policy, says the organisation must be led by someone with real, hands-on experience in the field.

The statement adds that Yoo has distinguished herself as a trade expert and has all the skills necessary to be an effective leader of the organisation.

Decisions of the World Trade Organisation are made by consensus, which means a single country can create a statement to pressure others.

On Wednesday, Okonjo-Iweala had said she was humbled to be nominated to lead the WTO.

If appointed, she would be the first female and the first African to lead the Geneva-based institution.

A trade official in the Bill Clinton administration, William Reinsch, expressed disappointment in the move by the US.

Reports say WTO will continue working on reaching a consensus ahead of the meeting of its General Council on November 9.