WTO Secretary-General Resigns Mid-Term Under US Pressure... Trump Says "Special Treatment for China"

Suspension of Appellate Body Activities and Operational Difficulties Announced Abruptly with One Year Left in Term
Trump Criticizes "WTO's Special Treatment of China"
Conflicts with US Expand in Major International Organizations like UN, UNESCO, and WHO

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] Roberto Azev?do, Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), has announced his sudden mid-term resignation. U.S. President Donald Trump harshly criticized Azev?do, accusing him of giving special treatment to China.

According to Bloomberg and other sources, Roberto Azev?do, Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), announced his resignation on the 14th (local time), with one year left in his term.

He declared during an informal delegation meeting held via video conference that he would step down as of August 31 this year. His term was set to last until the end of August next year. Director-General Azev?do said, "After consulting with my family, I decided to resign for personal reasons."

Azev?do, the sixth Director-General of the WTO, took office in September 2013, completed his first four-year term, and began his second term in 2017.

His term was not smooth. After President Trump took office, the U.S. openly vetoed the WTO, claiming it was biased toward China. The WTO Appellate Body, which makes final rulings on trade disputes, has been inactive since December last year due to the U.S. blocking the appointment of its members.

President Trump did not forget to attack the WTO on this day as well. Regarding Azev?do's early resignation announcement, Trump criticized, "The WTO is terrible. We have been treated very badly," adding, "The WTO treats China as a developing country. Because of this, China enjoys many benefits that the U.S. cannot obtain." In an interview with Fox Business on the same day, Trump also threatened to completely cut off relations with China and halt trade between the two countries.

Under the Trump administration, the U.S. has expanded conflicts with existing international organizations. The United Nations (UN), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and World Health Organization (WHO) are among the major international organizations targeted by President Trump's attacks.

Recently, the U.S. announced the suspension of funding to the WHO, accusing it of siding with China regarding the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.