Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the first woman and African leader of the World Trade Organization (WTO), has been reappointed for a second term. The reappointment, announced on Friday, was reached by consensus during a closed-door session of the WTO General Council. Her current term, ending in August 2025, will now extend for another four years.
Okonjo-Iweala’s reappointment comes at a pivotal time, with the looming possibility of Donald Trump’s return to the U.S. presidency and his historically antagonistic stance towards the WTO.
Key Highlights
Consensus Reappointment: Okonjo-Iweala was the sole candidate, a move championed by African nations to accelerate the process ahead of the WTO’s next ministerial conference in Cameroon in 2026. This push also aimed to prevent potential interference by a new Trump administration, which had previously delayed her initial appointment in 2020.
Trump’s Trade Legacy and Potential Return: During Trump’s first term, the U.S. administration weakened the WTO by dismantling its dispute settlement appeal system and threatening to withdraw the U.S. entirely. Trump has already hinted at an aggressive trade agenda, including tariffs on China, Canada, and Mexico, signaling further challenges for the WTO.
Challenges for Okonjo-Iweala:
Erosion of WTO Rules: The application of trade rules has declined globally, with member states increasingly bypassing WTO commitments for national security, environmental, and economic concerns.
Dispute Settlement Reform: Reviving the moribund appeals process remains a pressing issue, exacerbated by U.S. resistance during the Trump era.
Climate and Health Priorities: Okonjo-Iweala has advocated for integrating climate change and health into the WTO’s agenda, but progress has been slow.
Global Perspectives: Experts highlight that the WTO’s challenges extend beyond Washington. Many nations are adopting unilateral trade measures, reducing reliance on the WTO framework. Some analysts caution that if Trump prioritizes undermining the WTO, the organization could face existential threats.
The Road Ahead
Okonjo-Iweala’s second term is poised to be a complex and high-stakes mandate. With global trade increasingly politicized, the WTO must adapt to protect its relevance.
As the 2026 Cameroon Ministerial Conference approaches, her leadership will be crucial in rallying members to address reform needs, rebuild trust, and navigate the WTO through potentially turbulent times.
Her tenure underscores a pivotal challenge: maintaining the WTO’s relevance in a shifting global order where multilateral cooperation is under strain.
