WTO may seek to reappoint chief ahead of Trump presidency

By Emma Farge

GENEVA (Reuters) -The World Trade Organization plans a special meeting of its top decision-making body later this month where a call could be made on the reappointment of its Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, a document showed on Tuesday.

Trade sources said such a meeting appeared to be a route that could fast-track the months-long appointment process to avoid any risk of it getting blocked by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, whose teams and allies have criticised both Okonjo-Iweala and the trade watchdog in the past.

A WTO document sent by the General Council chair said the first day of the Nov. 28-29 meeting would allow Okonjo-Iweala, a former Nigerian finance minister, to present her vision for the 166-member organisation and answer delegates’ questions. The second day “could then provide an opportunity for Members to take a decision on the appointment of the next Director-General”, it said.

Okonjo-Iweala is the sole candidate for the job but some have observed that the WTO’s lengthy reappointment process could allow for U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s team to oppose her candidacy.

In 2020, Trump’s administration sought to block her first term. She secured U.S. backing only when President Joe Biden succeeded Trump in the White House.

Those who follow the trade body say it is likely to face a messy, recriminatory period for trade under Trump, who has promised to impose a 10% tariff on all imports and higher rates on countries such as China.