WTO chief eager to work with Trump amid trade uncertainties

In 2021, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was appointed as the first female and first African Director-General of the World Trade Organization. Recently, she was granted a second four-year term by WTO member countries without opposition. As she prepares to return to office, the looming presidency of Donald Trump raises concerns regarding his potential introduction of tariffs on imports from countries such as China, Mexico, and Canada. Okonjo-Iweala has publicly declared her eagerness to collaborate with Trump's administration and is remaining cautious about the specific policies Trump may implement in regard to international trade. During his previous term, Trump placed considerable focus on imposing tariffs, bypassing WTO rules, which could re-emerge as a significant point of contention for the trade organization. Okonjo-Iweala aims to address global trade challenges, including the need to strike deals that could eliminate harmful subsidies in the fisheries sector, which threaten fish stocks worldwide. The sustainability of the WTO and its effectiveness in resolving trade disputes may be tested if unilateral tariffs are reassessed under Trump's leadership. Okonjo-Iweala has highlighted the importance of the WTO's role in supporting global trading systems and protecting U.S. interests, particularly concerning intellectual property rights and product safety. The complex situation requires careful monitoring of Trump's actions and the WTO's ability to respond in a cooperative manner, reinforcing the necessity for a well-functioning global trade entity even amidst political shifts in the U.S.