Following the rejection of Nigeria’s Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as the next Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO) by the United States, the Organisation has cancelled a meeting scheduled for November 9 to decide on the appointment.
Trade sources claimed that a factor responsible for the delay was that there had been no indication the Trump administration, which will continue to govern trade policy in the weeks ahead irrespective of any U.S. election result, had switched its support to Okonjo-Iweala.
A document released by the WTO said:
For reasons including the health situation and current events, delegations will not be in a position to take a formal decision on 9 November.
The organization revealed that the meeting had been postponed until further notice.
Geneva, Switzerland, home to the WTO, implemented COVID-19 restrictions this week including a five-person cap on in-person meetings, although the organisation has held many meetings virtually, as well as the impasse over the leadership.
The WTO later confirmed the decision on its website, saying consultations would continue. The body usually chooses its new leader by consensus, with trade sources saying they would be reluctant to resort to a vote.
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A high-powered WTO panel last month recommended Okonjo-Iweala, a former finance minister, to lead the global trade watchdog, setting her up to become its first African and first woman head.
However, the U.S.-backed South Korean candidate, Yoo Myung-hee, has not withdrawn from the race, despite mounting diplomatic pressure.
There was no immediate comment from the U.S. Trade Representative’s office.
U.S. President Donald Trump has frequently criticised the WTO, calling it “horrible” and biased towards China.
His administration has already blocked judge appointments, disabling its top appeals panel last year.
