Has part of the global horse-trading over Paul Wolfowitz’s appointment to the presidency of the World Bank, it seems the EU countries are demanding U.S. backing for the candidacy of former EU trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy as the new director-general of the World Trade Organisation.

From the Observer:

Europe’s leaders are trying to negotiate for a European deputy to Wolfowitz and there are suggestions the Americans have agreed to back Pascal Lamy, the former European Union trade commissioner, as the next director general of the World Trade Organisation in a behind-the-scenes deal.

The WTO post will be opening up in August, when Supachai Panitchpakdi’s term will expire.

Lamy’s competitors are Pérez del Castillo of Uruguay, Jaya Krishna Cuttaree of Mauritius and Luis Felipe de Sexias Corrêa of Brazil.