World Trade Organization Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala announced Monday that she will seek a second term, accelerating the normal selection process in an apparent attempt to prevent former President Donald Trump from blocking her appointment if he becomes U.S. president again.
“We can confirm that Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has officially announced her intention to seek a second term as Director-General of the WTO,” WTO spokesperson Ismaila Dieng said in a statement sent to reporters. “She responded positively to the request from the African Group, taking into account the overwhelming and broad-based support expressed by members at the July General Council meeting.”
Dieng said Okonjo-Iweala’s decision was formally conveyed Monday to Norwegian Ambassador Petter Ølberg, who currently chairs the General Council, the WTO executive body that is responsible for selecting the director general.
Okonjo-Iweala’s current term expires on Aug. 31, 2025. The selection process for the next WTO leader would normally have started on Dec. 1. However, waiting until then could have potentially given Trump the opportunity to block her reappointment before it becomes final since the next U.S. president will take office on Jan. 20. Trump’s top trade adviser, Robert Lighthizer, sought to block Okonjo-Iweala’s appointment in 2020, raising concerns that could happen again.
