He gained early experience at embassies in Rabat and Paris, before specializing in European trade and nuclear non-proliferation issues at the Ministry.

From 1983 to 1987, he was stationed at the Swedish Embassy in Washington, D.C., and later became deeply involved in international trade negotiations, including the Uruguay Round and China's accession to GATT, working in Geneva from 1990 to 1994.

His diplomatic work included membership in the WTO Dispute Settlement Panel and culminated with a key role as Chief Co-ordinator for Trade and Investment Promotion.

[1] Lindström's father worked as a manager at a government agency in Sweden, but in early 1949, he was offered a position with the United Nations, which was still relatively new.

In February of that year, the family traveled to New York City on the Swedish American Line, where Lindström's father began his role as a director in the UN Secretariat.

[4] From 1990 to 1994, Lindström was Minister Plenipotentiary and Uruguay Round negotiator, Swedish Delegation to the International Organisations in Geneva.

[1] From 2000 to 2002, he was Chief Co-ordinator for Trade and Investment Promotion at the Foreign Ministry and from October 2002 to 2006 he served as ambassador to Tokyo.