US Vice President Kamala Harris and the World Trade Organization Director-General spoke on Thursday about the need of advancing international trade for recovery and equitable economic growth by pledging to work together, according to statements from the White House.

Harris, the first Black and Asian U.S. vice president and the first woman to hold the office, offered strong support to Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the first African and first woman to head the Geneva-based organization, over a phone call, the White House said. The two leaders also agreed to reform the global trade body.

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Okonjo-Iweala is a former Nigerian finance minister.

Moments after the call, Harris tweeted: “l spoke with WTO Director General Dr Okonjo-Iweala. We agreed to advancing international trade for recovery and equitable economic growth. We discussed human rights, investing in the environment, health, and technology to spur development and prosperity for the American people.”

Both the leaders pressed upon the international organisation’s role in improving living standards, labour rights, human rights and the well-being of working families.

“They committed to work together to address the economic and health consequences of COVID-19 and climate change, and to prioritize resilience in the global supply chain,” the White House statement said, Reuters reported.

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“The Vice President highlighted the priority of the United States to invest in health and technology as engines for growth and to advance sustainable development,” it added.

Meanwhile, next week the Senate is expected to vote to confirm President Joe Biden’s nominee Katherine Tai, a longtime congressional staffer, as his chief trade negotiator.

The Senate Finance Committee voted last week to advance Tai’s nomination to the full Senate on a voice vote, indicating no significant opposition.