It's important to acknowledge his role on the international stage as the only New Zealander to lead the World Trade Organization, and then as New Zealand's Ambassador to the United States. His time at the World Trade Organization coincided with momentous changes for New Zealand and the global economy. He oversaw the successful accession of countries like China to the World Trade Organization, bringing the majority of the world's population within the rules-based trading system, and he gave particular attention to helping poor countries participate effectively in the multinational and multilateral trading system. 