Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has been reappointed as the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), marking the start of her second term in a historic role as the first woman and the first African to lead the global trade body.
Her reappointment was confirmed on Friday by consensus among the WTO’s 166 member nations during a closed-door General Council meeting. The swift decision was made to avoid potential political complications, particularly from a possible second term for Donald Trump, who had previously delayed her initial appointment in 2020.
Okonjo-Iweala’s current term ends in August 2025, with her next term extending through to the 2026 ministerial conference in Cameroon.
The expedited process for her reappointment reflects concerns about potential disruptions in global trade governance. According to a source close to the discussions, the decision was driven by fears that a delay or alternative candidate could create a leadership vacuum.
“If she doesn’t get reinstated, the administration in Washington might slow or block other contenders, leaving the organisation without a leader,” the source noted.
Former WTO spokesman Keith Rockwell acknowledged that the accelerated reappointment could create tensions with the U.S., particularly under a potential Trump administration, which previously crippled the WTO’s dispute settlement system and threatened to withdraw from the organisation altogether.
Trump’s campaign rhetoric, which includes threats to impose tariffs on countries like China, Canada, and Mexico, has amplified concerns about his disregard for WTO rules. Elvire Fabry, a researcher at the Institut Jacques Delors think tank, described the WTO chief’s role as a “firefighter,” tasked with mitigating the fallout of unilateral trade measures and preserving the organisation’s relevance.
“It will be about saving what can be saved and reinforcing the argument that there is no real alternative to WTO rules,” she explained.
The challenges for Okonjo-Iweala extend beyond Washington. Trade measures tied to national security, environmental protection, and re-industrialisation are increasingly testing WTO rules globally, with governments less concerned about adhering strictly to commitments, as Dmitry Grozoubinski, author of Why Politicians Lie About Trade, pointed out.
Since taking office, Okonjo-Iweala has sought to revitalise the WTO by advocating for reforms and expanding its focus to include climate change and health-related issues. However, calls for substantive change have intensified, particularly around the moribund appellate body of the dispute settlement system, which remains dysfunctional due to U.S. opposition.
Her second term is expected to focus on navigating these tensions and ensuring the WTO remains a viable platform for global trade governance amid growing unilateralism.
“This is a very difficult mandate,” a source remarked, “with little certainty about what will happen, but Okonjo-Iweala’s leadership will be crucial in navigating these turbulent times.”
