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She assumed office in February 2021 after the conclusion of Trump’s first term. However, before Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala could be confirmed as WTO director-general, Trump’s chief trade negotiator, Robert Lighthizer, sought to block her appointment—a decision that was ultimately overturned following Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 presidential election.
In the lead-up to this week’s meeting, neither Trump’s transition team nor the Biden administration explicitly opposed or endorsed her bid for a second term. Nonetheless, concerns about potential actions by Trump clearly factored into the strategies of WTO members in recent months.
A Fast-Tracked Decision
Okonjo-Iweala’s first term is not set to expire until August 31, 2025. Under normal circumstances, discussions about her reappointment or the selection of a new director-general would typically begin a few days from now, on December 1.
However, this fall, WTO members agreed to accelerate the process at the request of the Africa Group of nations. The group argued that confirming her early would allow the WTO to better prepare for its next ministerial conference, which is anticipated to take place in late 2025 or early 2026.
That said, many interpreted the decision as a calculated effort to sidestep potential interference from Trump, should he return to power in 2024.
With her reappointment secured, Okonjo-Iweala now has another four years to lead an organization facing significant challenges. The WTO remains grappling with internal tensions among its key members—including China, the United States, the European Union, and India—and has struggled to deliver tangible progress on forging new trade agreements.
This article has been updated.
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