WTO race hits key stage with US, EU divided on two finalists

This combination of file pictures created on Oct 7, 2020 shows South Korean Trade Minister Yoo Myung-hee (left) and Nigerian former foreign and finance minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. - AFP

BEIJING (Agencies/China Daily/ANN): The US and Europe are heading for a clash over their preferred candidates to lead the World Trade Organization as the selection of the first woman to run the referee of global commerce enters a pivotal phase.

The European Union is inclined to support Nigeria’s Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and may sign off on that position Wednesday (Oct 21), people familiar with the process said. Other observers say the Trump administration is leaning toward South Korea’s Yoo Myung-hee.