The World Trade Organization (WTO) has reappointed Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for a second term as Director-General during a special meeting held on Friday.
Okonjo-Iweala, who made history in 2021 as the WTO’s first female and first African leader, will serve another term as the organization prepares to navigate an era of intensified global trade challenges.
Her second term is set to coincide with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s return to the White House on January 20. Analysts predict her leadership will face significant tests as Trump’s administration reintroduces a more aggressive trade agenda, including threats of hefty tariffs on goods from Mexico, Canada, and China.
Okonjo-Iweala, a former Nigerian finance minister, enjoys broad support among WTO member states. She declared her intent to seek reappointment in September, emphasizing her commitment to addressing “unfinished business” within the organization.
Friday’s meeting streamlined the reappointment process, mitigating potential disruptions from Trump’s administration, which has previously been critical of both Okonjo-Iweala and the WTO.
In 2020, Trump’s government supported a rival candidate and sought to block her initial appointment. Okonjo-Iweala eventually secured U.S. backing after President Joe Biden took office in 2021.
Despite some progress during Biden’s term, including a few agreements reached in Geneva in 2022, the WTO has struggled to achieve substantial reforms. Efforts to revitalize the dispute settlement system—crippled under Trump’s administration due to U.S. opposition to judge appointments—remain incomplete, with a critical deadline looming at the end of December.
Many experts foresee the WTO becoming a focal point for escalating trade tensions between the U.S. and China. Trump’s administration is expected to challenge China’s designation as a developing country, which critics argue grants Beijing unfair trade advantages.
Nonetheless, some analysts believe Okonjo-Iweala has an opportunity to maintain the WTO’s relevance by fostering dialogue and seeking practical solutions to trade disputes.
“There’s potential to use the WTO as a platform for addressing trade tensions through pragmatic, coalition-based approaches,” said John Denton, Secretary General of the International Chamber of Commerce, in an interview with Reuters.
Okonjo-Iweala’s leadership and strategic vision will be pivotal as the WTO tackles these pressing issues and seeks to remain a vital player in global trade governance.
