Head of WTO Leaves Post to Join PepsiCo as a Top Executive

One of eight candidates currently in the running to succeed him will be taking the reins in the midst of a devastating global economic downturn sparked by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, trade negotiations appear hopelessly stalled and trade tensions between the US and China continue to soar.

Read also: US to Resume Talks of China Trade Deal amid Covid-19 Disruption

At the same time, the appellate branch of the WTO's Dispute Settlement Body, sometimes called the supreme court of world trade, stopped functioning in December after years of relentless US opposition.

Washington accuses the court of major overreach and has blocked appointments of new judges, leaving it without the quorum needed to hear cases.

Last month WTO members failed to agree on what had been expected to be a straight-forward appointment of one of four current deputy directors as an acting chief during the months-long selection process for a permanent leader. 

(Writers & Editors: NL/APO/BMM, Agence France-Presse)

Source: http://u.afp.com/36va