GENEVA (Reuters) – The World Trade Organization (WTO) plans a special meeting of its decision-making body during November, during which a key decision could be taken on the renewal of the mandate of its director-general, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, according to a document consulted on Tuesday.

According to business sources, this meeting could pave the way for an accelerated nomination process, which usually lasts several months, in order to avoid any risk of blockage by US President-elect Donald Trump, whose teams and allies have criticized both Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and the WTO in the past.

A WTO document sent by the Chairman of the General Council indicates that the first day of the meeting on November 28-29 will allow Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, former Minister of Finance of Nigeria, to present her vision for the organization that counts 166 members and answer questions from delegates.

The second day “could then be an opportunity for members to make a decision on the appointment of the next director general”, according to the press release.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is the only candidate for the position, but some have noted that the lengthy WTO renewal process could allow US President-elect Donald Trump’s team to oppose her candidacy.

The Trump administration sought to block Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s first term in 2020 and only gained U.S. support when President Joe Biden succeeded Donald Trump in the White House.

WTO observers expect the organization to experience a period of disorder and recriminations under President Donald Trump, who has promised to impose 10 percent tariffs on all imports and lower rates higher to countries such as China.

At the beginning of the month, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce also decided to file a complaint with the organization against the increase in customs duties imposed by the European Union (EU) against electric vehicles manufactured in China.

(Report by Emma Farge, by Mara Vîlcu, edited by Augustin Turpin)

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