WTO plans to reappoint Okonjo-Iweala before Trump swears in

Several member states of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva are pushing to swiftly confirm a second term for Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, before Donald Trump returns to the White House. A meeting is scheduled for November 28 and 29. In a document released on Tuesday by the WTO, the Chairman of the General Council, the organisation’s highest authority, announced that the first day would allow Okonjo-Iweala to present her projects. The 166 members will then have the opportunity to ask her questions. The second day “could then offer the possibility” of appointing the Nigerian for a second term by consensus as early as September 2025, said Norwegian ambassador to the WTO, Petter Ølberg. He noted on Saturday that Okonjo-Iweala was the only candidate by the Friday evening deadline, but nothing is guaranteed. If the member states are not in full agreement, the process could extend beyond the start of Trump's second presidency at the end of January. + WTO study: greater ...