World trade chief says global free trade is in a crisis while on visit to Japan

World Trade Organization director-general Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, with Japan’s prime minister Shigeru Ishiba (Kazuhiro Nogi/Pool Photo via AP)

Global free trade is in crisis, the head of the World Trade Organisation said while meeting Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Tuesday.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, director-general of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), told Mr Ishiba that she has high expectations for Japan as a champion of open markets, as US President Donald Trump disrupts world commerce with his fast-changing tariffs and other policies.