WTO needed as much as ever to help global economy recover.Ottawa—As much as the World Trade Organization needs a new Director-General as soon as possible, choosing one will likely be dragged out as countries dither about who is the right person for the job, say international trade experts.The WTO's role as a global trade referee has already been hindered by the U.S. decision to hamstring its Appellate Body, the experts agreed during an on-line discussion organized by the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute and the Farm Foundation.Roberto Azevedo steps down as WTO DG on Aug. 31 and choosing his successor has overshadowed efforts by Canada and other 41 other countries to bolster the role of the WTO in enforcing trade rules and settling disputes.Ottawa trade guru Peter Clark said while the selection process needs to be quick, “It will not be and may even be headed for a possibly lengthy deadlock.” Members should focus on who would be the best candidate “at this difficult time in the WTO's existence and future. There is too much attention on whose turn it is. There are a number of good female candidates for the post.”The WTO is also hobbled by its consensus system for resolving disputes rather than taking decisions based the wish of the majority, he said.Joe Glauber of the Washington-based International Food Policy Research Institute said the current problems in international trade can be traced back to the failure to reach a final agreement in 2008 on the Doha Round, which was supposed to help developing countries. “Today's troubles were a decade in the making. The question is how do we get back on track. At least the Ottawa Group is trying to lead the way.”John Clarke of the European Commission said the WTO has been struggling since the end of the Uruguay Round of the trade talks in 1998. The ongoing U.S.-China trade battle are complicating reform efforts.The proliferation of free trade deals has also dulled the interest of many countries in making the WTO work, he said. “We need to return to the multilateralism of the WTO. It isn't about promoting free trade but steady market opening and that makes it an instrument for prosperity.”Clark said the WTO needs improvement not emasculation to appease the U.S. “The Appellate Body works pretty well and we should keep it and offer alternate dispute resolution systems.”China's actions against countries that object to its practices and climate change are adding to the WTO's headaches in reaching consensus of resolving trade disputes, he said.“China is not transparent and can't play by the rules and can't take over the role at the WTO that the U.S. has abandoned. The U.S. could take back its leadership role if it wants to.”Clarke said climate change will cause shifts in production globally and that will make agrifood trade even more important in the future. “We have to keep markets open. The food system has been resilient through the pandemic and we should be thankful for that.”Glauber said that agriculture trade is more important than ever. But modern farming is still seen as a cause of climate change rather than a solution and a lot more has to be accomplished to correct that view. “Whatever is done must be WTO compatible.”Alex Binkley is a freelance journalist and writes for domestic and international publications about agriculture, food and transportation issues. He's also the author of two science fiction novels with more in the works.