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John O'Neill is awesome.
My favourite John story was at the 10th WTO Ministerial Conference, when he had to cover for someone in a really complex negotiation.
Australia, Canada, EU et al. were pushing back on a proposed rule change we thought would harm the trading system.
My favourite John story was at the 10th WTO Ministerial Conference, when he had to cover for someone in a really complex negotiation.
Australia, Canada, EU et al. were pushing back on a proposed rule change we thought would harm the trading system.
The debate is pretty heated and getting nowhere. Very senior people in the room. Accusations are thrown around, tempers flaring. Everyone is exhausted.
Threats are being made about blocking the entire conference outcome over this issue.
John mostly just sits there listening.
Threats are being made about blocking the entire conference outcome over this issue.
John mostly just sits there listening.
Suddenly John leans forward and in his signature sardonic but ultra calm rumble of a voice:
"You realize of course this entire proposal is based on applying a rule that lapsed years ago?"
Everyone:
"No! What?"
"You realize of course this entire proposal is based on applying a rule that lapsed years ago?"
Everyone:
"No! What?"
John:
"Yeah, the rule you're trying to use came with a sunset clause that kicked in years ago. It's no longer trade law."
Everyone:
<furiously digging through texts>
"Mother fudger he's right. How could you possibly know that history, John?"
John, humbly:
"Oh, I was there."
"Yeah, the rule you're trying to use came with a sunset clause that kicked in years ago. It's no longer trade law."
Everyone:
<furiously digging through texts>
"Mother fudger he's right. How could you possibly know that history, John?"
John, humbly:
"Oh, I was there."
