Trade : US, China hold crucial talks to resolve "tit-for-tat" export controls (PRIV)
(D. Ravi Kanth, Geneva)
The United States and China on 9 June began their crucial second round of talks at the historic Lancaster House in London, at the invitation of the British government, but a credible agreement for addressing the issue of export controls and other restrictions on hi-tech items and critical rare earth minerals could pose several imponderables, according to analysts.

WTO : DG considers appointing Indian official as senior advisor in her cabinet (PRIV)
(D. Ravi Kanth, Geneva)
The World Trade Organization's Director-General, Ms Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, is considering appointing a senior Indian official to her cabinet, a move that is being seen as an apparent attempt to "appease" India, which continues to adopt tough positions at the WTO, including on the Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement (IFDA) among others, said people familiar with the development.

UN : Global food prices fall amid lower quotations for maize, palm oil (PRIV)
(Kanaga Raja, Penang)
World food commodity prices fell in May, marked by declines in quotations for cereals, sugar and vegetable oils, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).