Allow me to call bullshit on this one.
Why?
Because this is not how the process works. In short: this is fiction.
How does it work (a thread)
The WTO describes the process in its document WT/L/509. Available here (the WTO links it) wto.org/english/thewto…
The customary decision-making procedure of the WTO is: consensus. In short: nobody says no. So if China and the EU are against a candidate - fully against - that candidate won’t become DG. End of story.
How then does the WTO go through this consensus-building exercise? The description is here
An iterative consultation process eliminating candidates unable to attract consensus. So what happens if in the end the only candidates left standing ... don’t attract a consensus?
At that point, members “shall consider” the possibility of voting. Voting, though, goes against an engrained consensus culture at the WTO. And when I say goes against: articles have been written about how unrealistic a vote would be on certain matters.
It is, for most watchers, a complete surprise that Seade - a Mexican with tons of experience in the field - is out, Fox is still in. But the reason is certainly not that the EU and China wanted him out at all cost. The reason is that they did NOT want him out at all cost.
What that means and why that is - hard to tell. Tactics, or simply not as hard opposition, who knows.
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