The US has backed Nigeria’s Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for director-general of the World Trade Organization, removing a final hurdle to her appointment and ending months of uncertainty over the body’s leadership.
Earlier on Friday the South Korean trade minister Yoo Myung-hee, who had not stood down from the race despite weaker backing than her rival last year, dropped out, saying the future of the WTO had become “uncertain” because of the prolonged leadership battle.
She added that she had made her decision in “close consultation” with the US. “South Korea will actively contribute to reaching consensus for the next WTO chief and co-operate with her and participate in the WTO reform process,” Yoo said.