Brazilian Roberto Azevedo has been named to take the helm of the World Trade Organization, the selection process chief told AFP on Wednesday. "He was leading in every single round," Pakistan's ambassador Shahid Bashir, who chairs the WTO's ruling General Council, said of the Brazilian career diplomat, confirming the nomination announced by diplomats late Tuesday.

Geneva, May 7 (EFE).- Brazilian diplomat Roberto Azevedo will be the new director-general of the World Trade Organization, or WTO, Brazilian and Mexican diplomats said Tuesday. Azevedo will succeed WTO director-general Pascal Lamy, of France, on Sept. 1. The Brazilian candidate beat out Herminio Blanco, a former Cabinet secretary who was Mexico's lead negotiator in the talks that led to the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA.

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative said Tuesday it has published a request for public comments in the Federal register regarding Japan's participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade talks. Written comments from the public are due June 9, the office said, adding it will also hold a public hearing on July 2 in Washington. These are part of the U.S. domestic procedures to finalize the decision to accept Japan as a new member in the multilateral trade liberalization talks.

Mexico City, May 7 (EFE).- Herminio Blanco, the Mexican candidate to lead the World Trade Organization, or WTO, has won the support of the European Union's representatives to the multilateral organization, individuals close to the selection process told Efe on condition of anonymity. Brazil's Roberto Azevedo is the other candidate competing to succeed France's Pascal Lamy as head of the WTO. Lamy is stepping down in September and his successor is expected to be selected on Tuesday.