Africa and The Middle East

The push by many countries -- including the U.S. -- to conclude plurilateral agreements at the World Trade Organization is “legally inconsistent” with WTO rules and principles, India and South Africa argued in a new paper, insisting there is a “fundamental requirement for multilateralism” in Geneva.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is set to make history on Monday as the World Trade Organization’s first African and first woman director-general, but the deep divides and significant crises facing the organization are likely to put her reformer reputation to the test from the start.

The Biden administration on Friday announced its “strong support” for Nigeria’s Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as the World Trade Organization’s next director-general, ending the previous administration’s block and opening the door to her quick appointment.

President Biden’s move to maintain national security-based tariffs on the United Arab Emirates likely isn’t indicative of how Section 232 duties will be handled broadly, industry sources said this week, suggesting the administration could opt to negotiate exemptions with key countries.

The group says she can be “relied on to pay due attention to the concerns many Americans have about global trade” and “has what it takes to lead WTO reforms.”

A proclamation cites actions taken by the DRC’s government in recent years after President Obama removed the country from the program in 2010, citing human-rights concerns.

Negotiators from the U.S. and Kenya will wrap up the second round of trade talks on Nov. 12, according to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative defended its choice in World Trade Organization director-general candidate on Wednesday, arguing the organization “must” be led by someone with "hands-on" experience in trade and that person is Korean Trade Minister Yoo Myung-hee.

The World Trade Organization will announce its consensus director-general pick on Wednesday, with Nigeria’s Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala picking up momentum after winning European Union support this week.