The World Trade Organization (WTO) officially reinstated Nigerian economist Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as its director general early Friday for yet another four-year term.
The WTO has rejected the idea that her early reappointment was an attempt to circumvent a veto by incoming US President Donald Trump, according to trade sources.
Only when President Joe Biden succeeded him in the White House did Okonjo-Iweala gain US support, despite efforts by his earlier administration to thwart her confirmation in 2020.
Trump has already expressed disapproval of the WTO as a forum for settling trade issues.
In January, when he takes office again, he has vowed to put high taxes on goods from China, Mexico, and Canada.
This will increase frictions in trade with favorable and hostile countries and violate US trade agreements.