Former Nigeria Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has reacted to the United States opposition of her candidacy as the Director General of World Trade Organisation (WTO).
According to reports on Wednesday, Okonjo-Iweala polled 104 votes from 164 member countries to defeat opponent, South Korean Trade Minister Yoo Myung-hee in the final stage of the race.
But the United States has since rejected the nomination of Okonjo-Iweala, instead throwing their weight behind Myung-hee.
Okonjo-Iweala remains optimistic
Reacting to the US decision, she said, “Happy for the success and continued progress of our World Trade Organisation DG bid.
She added that, I am very humbled to be declared the candidate with the largest, broadest support among members and most likely to attract consensus.
“We move on to the next step on November 9, despite hiccups. We are keeping the positivity going,” she wrote on Twitter.
In a statement issued by the office of the US trade representative on Wednesday, the world power said the WTO is in dire need of reform and must be “led by someone with real, hands-on experience in the field”.
“The United States supports the selection of Korean Trade Minister Yoo Myung-hee as the next WTO Director-General,” the USTR, led by Robert Lighthizer said.
“Minister Yoo is a bona fide trade expert who has distinguished herself during a 25-year career as a successful trade negotiator and trade policy maker. She has all the skills necessary to be an effective leader of the organization.
“This is a very difficult time for the WTO and international trade. There have been no multilateral tariff negotiations in 25 years, the dispute settlement system has gotten out of control, and too few members fulfill basic transparency obligations.
“The WTO is badly in need of major reform. It must be led by someone with real, hands-on experience in the field.”
