Newly appointed Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, WTO, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
has expressed surprise that the administration of former United States, US, President, Donald Trump could stand against her candidacy.
Okonjo-Iweala said she felt she had a good understanding with the then Trump’s administration after she was interviewed twice about the WTO job.
The former Nigerian Finance Minister disclosed this during her inaugural press conference yesterday.
She said: “I think I was quite surprised when that came (opposition from Trump) because there was no indication that there was any problem with the US.
“I had two good interviews with the authorities and with the administration so it was a surprise. But that’s the way life works. When things happen, you take them in your stride and you move on.
“It was absolutely wonderful when the Biden/Harris administration broke that logjam. They joined the consensus and gave such a strong endorsement to my candidacy. They joined the other 163 members to endorse my candidacy.”
Despite enjoying the support of more countries of the world, the then US government had thrown its weight behind South Korea’s Yoo Mhung-Hee.
Okonjo-Iweala in a tweet via her handle on Monday said the organisation would get the global economy running again during her tenure as the WTO DG.
She also expressed willingness to make the WTO stronger, adding that the organisation would adapt to realities of the day.
“I am totally honoured to have been selected by WTO members as WTO Director-General.
“A strong WTO is vital if we are to recover fully and rapidly from the devastation wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I look forward to working with members to shape and implement the policy responses we need to get the global economy going again.
“Our organization faces a great many challenges but working together we can collectively make the WTO stronger, more agile and better adapted to the realities of today,” she added.