US welcomes new WTO chief

The U.S. welcomed here Wednesday the selection of Roberto Azevedo as the new Director General of the World Trade Organization (WTO). Acting United States Trade Representative Demetrios Marantis welcomed in a statement the consensus of the 159 Members of the WTO in choosing Roberto Azevedo as the body's next Director-General. Marantis added that the "WTO Members had an excellent pool of candidates from which to choose our next Director-General, particularly in the case of the two finalists. Both are strong leaders." "The United States is pleased to join the consensus decision that has selected Roberto Azev$do as the next Director-General of the WTO, and we look forward to working with him and with our fellow Members for a robust, relevant, and productive organization in the years to come," Marantis affirmed.