INTRIGUING! President Trump Explains Why US Opposes Okonjo-Iweala's Election As WTO DG, Nigerians React.
The United States Government has offered some explanations on why it is against Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala becoming the next director-general of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
The Donald Trump-led administration said in a statement issued through the office of the US trade representative that 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 (pictured above), 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.”6
The argument against Okonjo-Iweala has always been that she has no direct trade experience. But while addressing the WTO in July, the former minister of finance in Nigeria refuted the claim.
“I am a development economist and you cannot do that without looking at trade. Trade is a central part of development. So, I have been doing it. My whole career at the World Bank, I was working on trade policy reform in middle and low-income countries at the bank,” she said.
“As finance minister, the customs service in my country reported to me. And that is all about trade facilitation. I helped my country’s negotiation with my trade minister on the ECOWAS common external tariffs. I don’t know how much more trade you can have than that.
“So those who say I don’t have trade, they are mistaken. I think the qualities I have are even better, because I combine development economics with trade knowledge, along with finance, and you need those combination of skills to lead the WTO. I think I have the skills that are needed. I am a trade person.”
On Wednesday, Okonjo-Iweala had won the popular vote to become the next DG and had the nod of the three ambassadors saddled with the responsibility of picking the next leader of the trade body.
But at a WTO delegates meeting to discuss the appointment, the US expressed opposition to her election — the US was the only country opposing her election.
Keith Rockwell, the spokesman of the WTO, said just one member country did not support Okonjo-Iweala.
“All of the delegations that expressed their views today expressed very strong support for the outcome, except for one,” he said.
The WTO reconvenes on November 9, 2020 after the US election to decide who becomes the next DG.
Nigerians Lambast US For Opposing Okonjo-Iweala As Consensus Candidate
Nigerians have meanwhile, taken to the social media to blast the President Donald Trump administration for opposing Nigeria’s Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as the consensus candidate for the post of director-general of the World Trade Organisation.
Many Nigerians likened the US opposition to that encountered by African Development Bank chief, Akinwumi Adesina, who also faced intense hostility from Washington before his re-election.
The breakthrough of Adesina, has, however, been a source of hope for many Nigerians who want the former World Bank director to become the first African and first female director-general in the 25-year-old history of the global trade organisation.
Popular journalist, Dele Momodu, said on a TV programme this morning, “It is very unfortunate. I don’t know why the US is always opposing Nigeria’s candidacy but I believe the other countries will
stand up against the bullying of America.
“Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is one of the brightest, not only on the continent but in the world. I look forward to congratulating her as soon as possible.”
@jeolaolarewaju also tweeted, “Even with America’s misconceived approach, she has the upper hand because she has shattered a couple of ceilings.”
@Dbest101 wrote, “If God be for you @NOIweala, no man, not even @realDonaldTrump, can be against you.”
Noblemighty Njoku commented on Facebook, “Trump’s racism can’t be hidden nor his pure hatred for Africans.”
Akin Akinsehinwa stated, “The US should just let Nigeria be. The US made frantic efforts to block the re-election of Dr Akinwumi Adeshina but God put it to shame. The same God is still on His throne. So the US should expect another round of disgrace.”
Hephzibah Suobo wrote, “Is the WTO a property of one country or all the members? She already had the majority of the votes out of 164 states. She can’t be stopped.”
The troika has concluded the third round of consultations and its decision marks an important step paving the way for Okonjo-Iweala to become both the first woman and the first African to head the organisation.
But the WTO’s 164 member states still need to determine whether they will support her before their next General Council meeting on November 9.
“I am a development economist and you cannot do that without looking at trade. Trade is a central part of development. So, I have been doing it. My whole career at the World Bank, I was working on trade policy reform in middle and low-income countries at the bank,” she said.
“As finance minister, the customs service in my country reported to me. And that is all about trade facilitation. I helped my country’s negotiation with my trade minister on the ECOWAS common external tariffs. I don’t know how much more trade you can have than that.
“So those who say I don’t have trade, they are mistaken. I think the qualities I have are even better, because I combine development economics with trade knowledge, along with finance, and you need those combination of skills to lead the WTO. I think I have the skills that are needed. I am a trade person.”
On Wednesday, Okonjo-Iweala had won the popular vote to become the next DG and had the nod of the three ambassadors saddled with the responsibility of picking the next leader of the trade body.
But at a WTO delegates meeting to discuss the appointment, the US expressed opposition to her election — the US was the only country opposing her election.
Keith Rockwell, the spokesman of the WTO, said just one member country did not support Okonjo-Iweala.
“All of the delegations that expressed their views today expressed very strong support for the outcome, except for one,” he said.
The WTO reconvenes on November 9, 2020 after the US election to decide who becomes the next DG.
Nigerians Lambast US For Opposing Okonjo-Iweala As Consensus Candidate
Nigerians have meanwhile, taken to the social media to blast the President Donald Trump administration for opposing Nigeria’s Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as the consensus candidate for the post of director-general of the World Trade Organisation.
Many Nigerians likened the US opposition to that encountered by African Development Bank chief, Akinwumi Adesina, who also faced intense hostility from Washington before his re-election.
The breakthrough of Adesina, has, however, been a source of hope for many Nigerians who want the former World Bank director to become the first African and first female director-general in the 25-year-old history of the global trade organisation.
Popular journalist, Dele Momodu, said on a TV programme this morning, “It is very unfortunate. I don’t know why the US is always opposing Nigeria’s candidacy but I believe the other countries will stand up against the bullying of America.
“Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is one of the brightest, not only on the continent but in the world. I look forward to congratulating her as soon as possible.”
@jeolaolarewaju also tweeted, “Even with America’s misconceived approach, she has the upper hand because she has shattered a couple of ceilings.”
@Dbest101 wrote, “If God be for you @NOIweala, no man, not even @realDonaldTrump, can be against you.”
Noblemighty Njoku commented on Facebook, “Trump’s racism can’t be hidden nor his pure hatred for Africans.”
Akin Akinsehinwa stated, “The US should just let Nigeria be. The US made frantic efforts to block the re-election of Dr Akinwumi Adeshina but God put it to shame. The same God is still on His throne. So the US should expect another round of disgrace.”
Hephzibah Suobo wrote, “Is the WTO a property of one country or all the members? She already had the majority of the votes out of 164 states. She can’t be stopped.”
The troika has concluded the third round of consultations and its decision marks an important step paving the way for Okonjo-Iweala to become both the first woman and the first African to head the organisation.
But the WTO’s 164 member states still need to determine whether they will support her before their next General Council meeting on November 9.
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