The United States has backed Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, to lead the World Trade Organisation after months of procrastination. President Joe Biden’s administration offered its “strong support” to Okonjo-Iweala, citing her “wealth of knowledge in economics and international diplomacy from her 25 years with the World Bank and two terms as Nigerian Finance Minister.”
Former US President Donald Trump had paralysed the organisation while opposing Okonjo-Iweala who was backed by many other countries. US support came after Okonjo-Iweala’s only remaining contender and South Korea’s Trade Minister, Yoo Myung-hee, withdrew her candidacy for the position. The exit of former President Donald Trump from office also helped Okonjo-Iweala’s case.
The US’ decision to back Okonjo-Iweala was contained in a statement on the website of the US Trade Representative titled, ‘Office of the United States Trade Representative Statement on the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation.’ The statement read, “The United States takes note of today’s decision by the Republic of Korea’s Trade Minister Yoo Myung-hee to withdraw her candidacy for Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
“The Biden-Harris Administration is pleased to express its strong support for the candidacy of Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as the next Director-General of the WTO. Dr Okonjo-Iweala brings a wealth of knowledge in economics and international diplomacy from her 25 years with the World Bank and two terms as Nigerian Finance Minister.
“She is widely respected for her effective leadership and has proven experience managing a large international organisation with a diverse membership. It is particularly important to underscore that two highly qualified women made it to the final round of consideration for the position of WTO Director-General – the first time that any woman has made it to this stage in the history of the institution.”
The US said it stood ready to engage in the next phase of the WTO process for reaching a consensus decision on the WTO Director-General, adding, “the Biden-Harris administration looks forward to working with a new WTO Director-General to find paths forward to achieve necessary substantive and procedural reform of the WTO.’’
Reacting, Okonjo-Iweala expressed her appreciation to the US for supporting her for the job.
In a tweet, she said, “Grateful for the expression of support from the US today for DG @WTO. Congratulations to Madam Yoo of the Republic of Korea for a hard-fought campaign. Thank you, President Muhammadu Buhari @MBuhari & all Nigerians for your unflinching support. Thank you, friends. Love to my family. Glory to God.”
By this development, she will become the first woman and African to head the WTO since its establishment 26 years ago. The World Trade Organisation had in October 2020 announced Okonjo-Iweala and Myung-hee as the remaining two out of an initial eight contenders for the job, with either of the two succeeding Roberto Azevêdo, who resigned from the job in August 2020.