Ron Kirk, the new US trade representative, on Wednesday reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to a successful and speedy conclusion to the Doha global trade talks, but said this might require a change in the negotiating approach.

Speaking at the end of a three-day visit to the World Trade Organisation in Geneva, Mr Kirk said the Obama administration was still reviewing its Doha stance. However, there was no intention to change the mandate of the talks or jettison the work done.