The World Trade Organization (WTO) has reappointed Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as its Director-General for a second term, extending her leadership until 2029.
Okonjo-Iweala, the first woman and the first African to head the WTO, was the sole candidate in the race, making her reappointment virtually assured.
The WTO’s 166 member states reached a consensus on her reappointment during a special closed-door session of the General Council on Friday, according to an official statement. The swift decision follows calls from African nations to expedite the process, originally set to take months, to ensure continuity and prepare for the next ministerial conference in Cameroon in 2026.
However, insiders suggest the urgency was also driven by the potential return of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency. Trump’s disdain for international trade rules and history of stalling Okonjo-Iweala’s initial appointment in 2020 raised concerns that his administration might block her reappointment.
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Challenges Ahead
The 70-year-old Nigerian economist faces significant hurdles in her next term. During Trump’s first presidency, his administration paralyzed the WTO’s dispute settlement system and threatened to withdraw the United States from the organization altogether. Trump has already signaled plans for aggressive trade policies, including imposing tariffs on China, Canada, and Mexico if re-elected.
“The festival of tariffs announced to date shows that he has no intention of following any rules,” said Elvire Fabry, a researcher at the Institut Jacques Delors think tank.
Okonjo-Iweala’s role in this environment has been described as that of a “firefighter,” tasked with preserving the WTO’s relevance while navigating the challenges of a fractured global trade landscape.
Concerns Beyond Washington
While U.S. policies dominate headlines, the WTO’s challenges extend beyond one member state. Trade experts highlight a broader trend of countries disregarding WTO rules in pursuit of national security, environmental, and re-industrialization goals.
“There is a general erosion in the application of WTO rules,” said Keith Rockwell, a senior research fellow at the Hinrich Foundation.
Calls for WTO reform are growing, particularly to revive its appeals mechanism, which collapsed during Trump’s first term due to the U.S. blocking judge appointments. Okonjo-Iweala has championed reforms, emphasizing the need to address pressing global issues like climate change and health through trade policy.
A Fragile Mandate
Despite her reappointment, the challenges of her next term remain daunting. “It will be a very difficult mandate, with little certainty about what will happen,” a source close to the discussions said.
Okonjo-Iweala’s leadership will be pivotal as the WTO grapples with mounting skepticism over multilateral trade rules and efforts to adapt to an increasingly polarized global economy.
