Delay in appointing the new WTO chief is probably positive

The postponing of a WTO meeting, scheduled for November 9, to confirm its new Director General is probably a positive step for the organisation’s future.

Most countries had preferred Nigeria’s Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, but Donald Trump had preferred Korea’s Yoo Myung-hee. The EU, China, Japan and Australia apparently argued for waiting till President-Elect Biden can exert influence. This could ensure all the WTO’s major trading members united behind Dr Okonjo-Iweala.

There is no new date for the meeting. The WTO’s official statement blames the delay on “the health situation and current events”.  Postponement till the New Year looks likely.