Okonjo-Iweala reappointed as WTO chief amid concerns about Trump’s return
By Jeffrey Agbo
The World Trade Organization (WTO) has reappointed Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for a second term as its Director-General, a decision finalised during a special closed-door meeting of the General Council on Friday.
Okonjo-Iweala, the first woman and first African to lead the WTO, faced no competition for the role.
The consensus-based reappointment ensures her leadership continues until 2029, with her current term ending in August 2025.
The reappointment process was expedited at the request of African nations, officially to allow for adequate preparation for the WTO’s next major ministerial conference in Cameroon in 2026.
However, analysts and sources close to the WTO suggest that a key factor in the acceleration was to preempt potential opposition from a returning Trump administration.
In 2020, during her initial appointment process, Donald Trump’s administration blocked her candidacy, causing a delay until President Joe Biden assumed office.
READ ALSO: Okonjo-Iweala emerges unopposed for second term as WTO DG
Members feared that the absence of a confirmed leader at the WTO’s helm could lead to a vacuum in leadership, especially given the prospect of Trump’s return to the White House.
Okonjo-Iweala’s reappointment comes as the WTO navigates significant challenges. Trump’s first presidency saw the WTO’s dispute settlement system crippled and threats to withdraw the US from the organization.
Trump has signalled plans for renewed trade wars, including potential tariffs on China, Canada, and Mexico, which could disrupt the multilateral trading system the WTO oversees.
Okonjo-Iweala has advocated for modernisation of the WTO, aiming to address longstanding criticisms and improve its efficacy in resolving global trade disputes.
While her reappointment received broad support from WTO members, it was reportedly driven more by practical considerations than unanimous enthusiasm.
“The alternative of no one leading the organisation is unacceptable,” a source told AFP, highlighting the fear of a leadership vacuum.
Keith Rockwell, a senior research fellow and former WTO spokesman, noted that this decision might strain relations with Washington but argued that tensions were inevitable regardless of the circumstances.
Okonjo-Iweala’s second term is expected to focus on reforming the WTO, revitalising its dispute resolution mechanisms and navigating the geopolitical uncertainties of a potential Trump presidency.