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promote rules-based trade has been
undermined by gaps regulations.
These have been exposed by China’s
model of capitalism, and by President
Donald Trump’s propensity for
taking unilateral action to hit back
against perceived ill-treatment
of US companies. But the new
director-general will also assume
office at a pivotal moment, when the
international community will either be
adjusting to a new US administration
or entering another four years of
Donald Trump.
Donald Trump the president of USA and President Xi of China
Whoever is the winner between; Ms
economic system—largely skewed Europe, including the Baltic states. Okonjo-Iweala’s and Ms Yoo the story
towards the developed world—the Latvia and Hungary — the last two about the selection process will be that
granting them a greater say in how it holdout countries favouring Ms Yoo — about the geopolitics of trade. While
is shaped.
agreed to switch and join the majority the US plans to veto the Nigerian, who
An EU official said the decision to position at a special meeting convened could be the first African to lead the
back Ms Okonjo-Iweala, who would find a consensus. Trade diplomats organization, China on its part, could
be the first WTO chief from Africa, from the EU27 held hearings with reject Ms Myung-hee, if that allows
was “a strong signal to reinforce the both candidates on October 14. it to keep its deputy-director-general
multilateral order”, as well as “a clear The EU decision had left Ms Yoo with spot.
signal towards Africa and a sign of an uphill task to change the matrix, On the other hand, Japan’s trade
mutual trust”.
although Japan and China are expected dispute with South Korea makes it
Policymakers, including Valdis to exercise a de facto veto against unlikely to support Ms Myung-hee,
Dombrovskis, EU trade commissioner, her because of political tensions while Brazil, a big exporter of farm
Peter Altmaier, German economy with Seoul. But with the US, another products, may be put off by South
minister, and Charles Michel, EU member with veto powers backing Ms Korea’s membership of the G10 group
Council president, have sought to Yoo, yet another battle front in the US- of countries, which staunchly defends
forge a common EU stance for the final China relations is in the offing. agricultural subsidies. The agreement
voting round. on the next director-general could be
A challenging time awaits WTO’s next born from a host of disagreements.
The EU itself had earlier decided chief, particularly if Donald Trump Historically, jobs in international
not to field a candidate of its own. is re-elected, if the current US-China institutions are shared or allocated
Yoo Myung-hee, South Korea’s trade trade wars and strained relations among regions.
minister, found initial support among between the two largest economies in
EU governments in central and the world is anything to go by, A winner is due to be decided on
th
Eastern Europe. November 9 , with the contest now
The position became available in disharmony over US-China tug-
During the internal deliberations, Ms following the unexpected early of-war and the discord over trading
Okonjo-Iweala had been backed by resignation of Roberto Azevêdo, a system.
France, Germany, Spain, Italy and the Brazilian who had held the job since
Netherlands, among others. Ms Yoo 2013. He stepped down in September. The two finalists for the position of
found considerable support among EU The new chief will take over at a director general of the World Trade
governments in central and Eastern time when the WTO’s capacity to Organization (WTO) came tops in a

36 | The Nile Explorer 011