London | World Trade Organisation (WTO) director general Roberto Azevêdo has unexpectedly quit his post a year early, creating a leadership vacuum at the embattled global umpire in the midst of a global economic meltdown and rising trade tensions.
His departure will likely kick off a protracted and bitter struggle over who should next lead the WTO, as China and the US arm-wrestle for supremacy in the multilateral system while developing nations demand a non-Western candidate.
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Hans van Leeuwen covers British and European politics, economics and business from London. He has worked as a reporter, editor and policy adviser in Sydney, Canberra, Hanoi and London. Connect with Hans on Twitter. Email Hans at hans.vanleeuwen@afr.com
Jacob Greber writes about politics, economics and business from Canberra. He has been a Washington correspondent and economics correspondent. Connect with Jacob on Twitter. Email Jacob at jgreber@afr.com
