[ 2021-02-06 ]

Biden ends deadlock over first African and first woman to lead WTO
The Biden administration has ended the deadlock
over the next head of the World Trade Organization
(WTO) by expressing its "strong support" for
Nigeria's ex-finance minister.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was frontrunner for the role
until the Trump administration last October said
it wanted another woman, South Korea's Yoo
Myung-hee.

Ms Yoo has now withdrawn her candidacy.

If confirmed in the role, Dr Okonjo-Iweala would
be the first woman and the first African to lead
the WTO.

Dr Okonjo-Iweala on Friday praised her rival for
the post and said: "There is vital work ahead to
do together."

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala set to make WTO history
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Trump trade chief wants WTO race reopened

A WTO nominations committee in October recommended
its 164 members appoint Dr Okonjo-Iweala as a
replacement to outgoing chief Roberto Azevedo; a
spokesman at the time said all had approved the
appointment "except for one".

President Donald Trump - who had described the WTO
as "horrible" and biased towards China - wanted Ms
Yoo, South Korea's trade minister.

Ms Yoo on Friday said her decision to withdraw her
candidacy was made in "close consultation" with
the US. She said: "South Korea will actively
contribute to reaching consensus for the next WTO
chief and co-operate with her and participate in
the WTO reform process."

The White House congratulated Ms Yoo on her
"strong campaign" for the position and for being a
"traiblazer" as South Korea's first female trade
minister.

In a statement, it said the "US stands ready to
engage in the next phase of the WTO process for
reaching a consensus decision on the WTO Director
General".

Source - BBC

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