U.S. Trade Representative Officially Announces Support for Yoo Myung-hee as WTO Director-General

"True Expert in the Field of Trade. Building an Impressive Career for 25 Years"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] On the 28th (local time), the United States Trade Representative (USTR) publicly expressed support for Yoo Myung-hee, Director-General for Trade at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, as the next Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

In a statement released on the same day the WTO announced the results of the member countries' preference survey, USTR stated, "We support the election of Korea's Director-General Yoo as the next WTO Director-General." USTR evaluated, "Director-General Yoo is a true expert in the field of trade, having built an outstanding career over 25 years in trade negotiations and policy formulation," and added, "He possesses all the skills necessary to effectively lead the WTO."

They further stated, "The WTO and international trade are currently facing very difficult times," and argued, "At a time when the dispute settlement system is out of control and too few members fulfill their basic transparency obligations, a real expert with practical experience must lead."

Earlier, at a meeting convened with all member countries, the WTO recommended Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala of Nigeria, who advanced to the final round alongside Director-General Yoo, as the Director-General, citing that she received more support in the member countries' preference survey.

After the meeting, Keith Rockwell, WTO spokesperson, told reporters, "One delegation said at the meeting that they could not support the candidacy of Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and would continue to support Director-General Yoo. That delegation was the United States."

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