WSJ Analyzes Trade Challenges for President-Elect Biden
Possibility of WTO Unanimous Agreement Support
Hard to Voice Different Opinions from Member Countries Amid Emphasis on Multilateralism
[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on the 26th (local time) that U.S. President-elect Joe Biden is expected to support the Nigerian candidate for the vacant position of Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO). This is interpreted as reflecting Biden's declared return to multilateralism and his intention to respect the opinions of other member countries in the selection of the WTO chief.
In an article titled "Biden has an opportunity to show allies his global trade agenda," WSJ mentioned that the first trade-related issue Biden must decide on is the appointment of the WTO Director-General. The article was written by Yuka Hayashi, a former Tokyo correspondent.
WTO member countries have yet to reach a unanimous agreement between Yoo Myung-hee, head of the Trade Negotiations Division at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and Nigeria's Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (photo) for the Director-General position. While Europe, Africa, China, and Japan support candidate Okonjo-Iweala, the United States strongly backs Yoo.
WSJ noted that although the Trump administration supported Yoo, since the WTO traditionally appoints its chief by unanimous consent, the Biden administration might agree to candidate Okonjo-Iweala.
WSJ forecasted, "Traditionally, the WTO Director-General is selected by unanimous vote. Therefore, if the Biden administration agrees to the Nigerian candidate, it could end the deadlock." Given Biden's pledge to restore relations with allies, it would be difficult to ignore the opinions of other member countries.
Brian Pomper of the trade group Trade Enforcement Alliance, which opposes unfair U.S. trade practices, told WSJ, "If he wants to show that he is multilateralist, it would be more reasonable to support a unanimous appointment."
However, there is also analysis that Biden might take a tough stance on China and support Yoo. In that case, according to the principle of continental rotation, China would lose the opportunity to hold one of the Deputy Director-General positions.
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