MNI POLICY: WTO Head To Resign Amid Global Trade Discord

--Exit Allows New Chief to Onboard Ahead of 2021 Ministerial Conference

By Ryan Hauser

     WASHINGTON (MNI) - The director-general of the World Trade Organization

said Thursday he would step down later this year to allow a head start on

finding his successor during a relatively dormant period for the international

group.

     Roberto Azevedo told WTO members in a virtual meeting that he will leave

after seven years on the job and exactly a year before his term was set to

expire in September 2021. He also cited family reasons for the move but said his

resignation was not health-related, nor did he intend to pursue "any political

opportunities."

     Ongoing lockdowns have given the WTO time to start the DG selection process

well before next year's Ministerial Conference, a "critical landmark" in

defining the group's trajectory, Azevedo said. 

     The WTO Appellate Body for dispute resolution has been hampered by U.S.

efforts to block judicial appointments to the legal group, while this past week

also saw bipartisan proposals from both the Senate and the House to leave the

WTO. 

     While these efforts are unlikely to succeed due to time constraints and the

lack of political will, the WTO has nonetheless been stymied by the lack of

leadership from the U.S as it continues to joust with rival China.

--MNI Washington Bureau; +1 202 371 2121; email: ryan.hauser@marketnews.com

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