USTR, Bucking WTO Consensus, Backs Korean Diplomat as Group's Next Leader

Though World Trade Organization members reached consensus Wednesday on picking Nigerian Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as the group’s next director-general, the Trump administration prefers South Korean Trade Minister Yoo Myung-hee, said the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. 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,” said USTR Wednesday. “She has all the skills necessary to be an effective leader of the organization.” The WTO and international trade face “a very difficult time,” said the agency. “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.” WTO representatives didn’t respond to questions Thursday.