WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala criticises the global surge in protectionist trade measures, calling for urgent reform of decision-making.
DAVOS: World Trade Organization chief Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala criticised the global rise of protectionism during a debate at the World Economic Forum.
She stated the trend, evident even before recent US actions, is not beneficial for the global trading system.
“In this environment we have now, where certain countries feel ‘we need to fight for our national interests’, how do we proceed?” the former Nigerian finance minister said.
Okonjo-Iweala questioned which measures are legitimate for national interests and who determines national security guardrails.
Her comments follow a series of new tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump since his return to office a year ago.
Despite the protectionist shift, she noted 72% of global trade still follows WTO rules, including the “most favoured nation” principle.
These issues will be central at the upcoming WTO Ministerial Conference in Cameroon from March 26 to 29.
The organisation’s decision-making process, which requires consensus among 166 members, is also under scrutiny.
“The way we make decisions — it’s not working,” Okonjo-Iweala declared.
She called for greater flexibility and nimbleness within the Geneva-based body, which faces blocking tactics from members like India and the United States.
A growing coalition of countries is now pushing for reform of the global trade institution.
