WTO DG: Buhari lauds US for backing Okonjo-Iweala

President Muhammadu Buhari has welcomed the pronouncement of the Office of the United States Trade Representative, signifying withdrawal of the country’s objection to the emergence of Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as director- general of the WTO.

According to a statement issued yesterday by Buhari’s spokesman, Garba Shehu, said “Nigeria and the entire African continent are happy about this new position, which signifies a shift and important turnaround in the relation between our continent and the United States under the Biden administration.

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“Today, we see that the United States stands with Nigeria and Africa with the acceptance of our widely respected citizen, Okonjo-Iweala, to lead the WTO. We look forward to working very closely with the new US administration on this and all issues of common interests, especially in such areas as accelerated economic growth, fight against terrorism and deepening progress on development issues.’’

The United States of America under President Joe Biden had affirmed its support for Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as director-general of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

The office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) disclosed this in a statement made available by the US Mission in Nigeria yesterday.

The Biden-Harris administration expressed its support for Nigeria’s former minister of finance following the withdrawal of Korea’s Trade Minister Yoo Myung-hee as candidate for the same position.

It would be recalled that the immediate past US President Donald Trump had blocked Okonjo-Iweala’s chances of becoming the director-general of the organisation.

“The US takes note of today’s decision by the Republic of Korea’s Trade Minister Yoo Myung-hee to withdraw her candidacy for the director- general of the WTO.

“The Biden-Harris administration is pleased to express its strong support for the candidacy of Okonjo-Iweala.

“Okonjo-Iweala brings a wealth of knowledge in economics and international diplomacy from her 25 years in the World Bank and two terms as Nigerian finance minister.

“She is widely respected for her effective leadership and has proven experience, managing a large international organisation with a diverse membership,” part of the statement reads.(NAN).