By Emma Farge
GENEVA (Reuters) -The World Commerce Group plans a particular assembly of its prime decision-making physique later this month the place a name could possibly be made on the reappointment of its Director-Common Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, a doc confirmed on Tuesday.
Commerce sources stated such a gathering seemed to be a route that might fast-track the months-long appointment course of to keep away from any danger of it getting blocked by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, whose groups and allies have criticised each Okonjo-Iweala and the commerce watchdog previously.
A WTO doc despatched by the Common Council chair stated the primary day of the Nov. 28-29 assembly would enable Okonjo-Iweala, a former Nigerian finance minister, to current her imaginative and prescient for the 166-member organisation and reply delegates’ questions. The second day “might then present a possibility for Members to take a call on the appointment of the following Director-Common”, it stated.
Okonjo-Iweala is the only real candidate for the job however some have noticed that the WTO’s prolonged reappointment course of might enable for U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s crew to oppose her candidacy.
In 2020, Trump’s administration sought to dam her first time period. She secured U.S. backing solely when President Joe Biden succeeded Trump within the White Home.
Those that comply with the commerce physique say it’s prone to face a messy, recriminatory interval for commerce below Trump, who has promised to impose a ten% tariff on all imports and better charges on nations corresponding to China.
