Is the era of globalisation over?
Not if it is up to Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, director-general of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), who this week tells Zanny Minton Beddoes, The Economists editor-in-chief, that the worlds supply chains are too complex to undo. But although free trade may not be done with, she says, we will have hiccups along the way.  Dr Okonjo-Iweala is frank about the shortcomings of the global trading system, from perceptions that it is not relevant to ordinary people, to its failure to come up with new trade rules. But she describes opportunities in ongoing talks, including potential agreements to help fight the pandemic and to help protect the worlds oceans. Of the power struggle between America and China, which has put great strain on the trading system, she says, Not everything needs to be zero-sum.  The WTOs first African leader also talks about being a champion for the continent and about the threat of vaccine protectionism. And we hear how poetry is her source of inspiration. Listen to The Economist Asks podcast [Runtime: 28 min]:  Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google | Stitcher | TuneIn  To hear more from Dr Okonjo-Iweala on how to make globalisation more inclusive, how to rhyme the principles of free trade with the perils of climate change and what should be done to speed up vaccine equity around the world, watch the subscriber-exclusive webinar recording. Subscribe to The Economist for full access to print, digital and audio editions: economist.com/podcastoffer