Irish Examiner View: Hogan will have his work cut out

IF Phil Hogan confirms his candidacy to lead the World Trade Organization it will come at a time when the global trade body is on the brink of meltdown.

The US has blocked the appointment of judges to the WTO's dispute settlement arm, there is a budget crisis looming, and trade wars are growing internationally, most notably between China and the US. On top of all this, there is currently a bill in Congress that would see the US withdraw altogether from the global trading body.