"WTO Secretary-General Plans to Resign Mid-Term"

Published 14 May.2020 18:49(KST)

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Eunbyeol Kim] Roberto Azev?do, the Director-General who has led the World Trade Organization (WTO) Secretariat, plans to resign early with about one year left in his term, Bloomberg News reported on the 13th (local time), citing multiple sources.

The news of his early resignation came amid a situation where the WTO's functions are not operating properly as U.S. President Donald Trump, who advocates for America First, has been restraining the WTO. According to sources, he has also informed WTO member countries of his intention to resign early.

Azev?do, the 6th Director-General of the WTO, is from Brazil and took office in September 2013. After completing his first four-year term, he began his second term in 2017. His original term was set to expire at the end of August next year.

President Trump expressed dissatisfaction, claiming that China has received various benefits from the WTO during the trade war with China. The WTO Appellate Body has been paralyzed since December last year due to the U.S. opposition to appointing appellate members.

Bloomberg reported that if Director-General Azev?do resigns early, one of the four Deputy Directors-General may temporarily act as his replacement for the remaining term.