US Rejects Okonjo as WTO Consensus Candidate

Former minister of finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, remained in high spirit despite recent setback regarding her bid for the Director-General of World Trade Organisation (WTO).

Okonjo-Iweala, who is leading by a wide margin after the European Union (EU) agreed to support her candidacy, on Thursday said she was happy for the success and progress of her bid, adding that despite few hiccups she remain focus and will continue to keep a positive mind going into November 9 election between herself and South Korean trade minister, Yoo Myung-hee.

In a tweet, Nigeria’s former minister said, “Happy for the success & continued progress of our @wto DG bid. Very humbled to be declared the candidate with the largest, broadest support among members & most likely to attract consensus. We move on to the next step on Nov 9, despite hiccups. We’re keeping the positivity going!.”

This was after the United States said it supported the Korean trade minister for the top job because she is “a bona fide trade expert who has distinguished herself during a 25-year career as a successful trade negotiator and trade policy maker.”

The statement further said Yoo Myung-hee has all the expertise necessary to be lead the World Trade organization.

“This is a very difficult time for the WTO and international trade,” the statement said.

“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.”

Okonjo-Iweala continues to lead across the board and she is expected to eventually emerge as the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) even without the USA support.