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TWN Info
Service on WTO and Trade Issues (Nov20/25) Geneva, 23 Nov (D. Ravi Kanth) – Korea is apparently considering the withdrawal of its trade minister, Ms Yoo Myung-hee, from the race for the post of WTO director-general, a move that could pave the way for Nigeria’s former finance minister Ms Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to be confirmed as the new head of the global trade body, said people familiar with the development. Seoul is expected to announce its decision to withdraw its trade minister Ms Yoo in the coming days to enable the WTO’s General Council to appoint Ms Ngozi, said people familiar with the development. Korea has already conveyed to the United States its decision to withdraw its candidate, said a person, who asked not to be quoted. Last month, the United States Trade Representative (USTR) Ambassador Robert Lighthizer had insisted that the US “supports the selection of Korean Trade Minister Yoo Myung-hee as the next WTO Director-General.” The USTR refused to accept the recommendation made by a selection panel chaired by the WTO’s General Council (GC) chair Ambassador David Walker of New Zealand on 28 October that “in keeping with the Procedures, our assessment of the preference provided to us by you [the Members] during this third round of consultations is that the candidate from Nigeria, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is the candidate most likely of the two to attract consensus” on the following basis: * Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala clearly carried the largest support by Members in the final round; and, * She clearly enjoyed broad support from Members from all levels of development and from all geographic regions and has done so throughout the process. Ambassador Walker had scheduled a GC meeting on 9 November, which could not be held due to the restrictions imposed by the Geneva Canton in the face of sudden surge in the COVID-19 cases. Most of the WTO meetings are largely being held virtually through the internet platforms. In taking a decision by the GC, the quorum requires 82 members to be present at the meeting. Although the GC meeting is scheduled to take place on 17 December, it is not clear whether the meeting can take place if the current restrictions continue next month. Ms Yoo from Korea failed to receive enough support from members of all levels of development – i.e., the developed, developing, and least-developed countries, as well as geographically in comparison to the “largest” support received by Ms Ngozi. Part of the reason for the position adopted by the USTR against Ms Ngozi is that she is seen as close to the Democratic Party, said a person familiar with the selection process.
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