The United States has opposed Nigeria’s Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as the consensus candidate to lead the World Trade Organisation.
The PUNCH reports that key WTO ambassadors tapped Okonjo-Iweala on Wednesday as the best pick to lead the organisation.
But the US said it supported South Korean Trade Minister Yoo Myung-hee, who is Okonjo-Iweala’s opponent in the race to lead the WTO.
WTO spokesman, Keith Rockwell, was quoted by AFP as saying 27 delegations had taken the floor during Wednesday’s meeting.
“One delegation could not support the candidacy of Dr. Ng0zi and said they would continue (supporting) South Korean minister Yoo. That delegation was the United States of America,” he added.
Rockwell, however, said Wednesday’s meeting “was never intended to make a final decision on our next DG.”
“That decision can only be taken by the General Council,” he added.
With the US’ opposition, the WTO’s 164 member states still need to determine whether they will support her before their next General Council meeting on November 9.
