Lithuania

All news and posts of our editorial team on the topic

China blocks WTO panels
China has blocked the establishment of arbitration tribunals in two EU cases at the World Trade Organization (WTO), according to a media report. The WTO cases involve the de facto trade embargo against Lithuania and patent protection for high-tech products. At a meeting of the WTO Dispute Settlement Body in Geneva on Tuesday, China called […] continue reading →
EU advances WTO case against China
The EU is stepping up its action against China in two cases at the World Trade Organization (WTO). Brussels has requested the establishment of two arbitration tribunals for two ongoing cases, the EU Commission announced on Wednesday. The WTO cases involve the de facto trade blockade against Lithuania and patent protection for high-tech products. In […] continue reading →
Taiwan invests in Lithuania’s chip industry
Taiwan plans to invest more than €10 million in chip production in Lithuania, as the head of Taiwan’s representative office in Vilnius said on Monday. Specifically, Taiwan’s Industrial Technology and Research Institute will cooperate with Lithuania’s electronics manufacturer Teltonika to build semiconductor technology capacity in the Baltic country, said Eric Huang, head of the representative […] continue reading →
Diana Mickevičienė – Lithuania’s exiled ambassador
“Both things came together: A whole new life for my country, and a whole new life for me,” Diana Mickevičienė tells about her youth. She was 18 years old when Lithuania declared independence from the Soviet Union in 1990. A historic moment. But the rulers in Moscow tried to forcefully quell Lithuania’s push for freedom […] continue reading →
Lithuania’s companies seek alternatives
Stopped trains, rejected containers, unanswered customs applications - Lithuanian shipments to China continue to hang by a thread. Sometimes they get in, sometimes they do not. It is a nerve-wracking situation for the companies. Hope is now placed in Brussels. There, a trade instrument is taking shape that is supposed to provide help. continue reading →
The Balts leave, Hungary remains loyal
The Baltic exit from China's Cooperation Initiative in Eastern and Central Europe became a reality last week. Latvia and Estonia followed Lithuania and announced their withdrawal from the 16+1 format. Is this the beginning of the end for the remaining 14+1 format? continue reading →
Estonia and Lithuania leave 16+1 format
Following Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia also left the so-called 16+1 format for cooperation between Central and Eastern European countries (CEEC) and China. “Estonia will continue to work towards constructive and pragmatic relations with China,” the Estonian Foreign Ministry announced on Thursday. This includes “promoting EU-China relations in accordance with the rules-based international order and values […] continue reading →
Lithuanian trade office in Taiwan opens in the fall
Lithuania wants to open its long-planned trade office in Taiwan in the fall. The opening is planned for September, said Lithuania’s Vice Minister of Economy and Innovation, Jovita Neliupšiene, during a visit to Taipei. She has already looked at various possible sites for the trade office, Neliupšiene said during a four-day trip to Taiwan. Its […] continue reading →
Beijing’s Europe expert travels to Brussels
After the fruitless EU-China summit in early April, diplomats from both sides are apparently now trying to pick up the pieces: Beijing will send its Special Envoy for Europe Wu Hongbo to Brussels this week, as EU sources confirmed to China.Table. Accordingly, Wu will meet several representatives of the European External Action Service (EEAS). He […] continue reading →
Trade dispute: EU approves aid for Lithuania
The European Commission has approved a multi-million euro financing package in the trade dispute between Lithuania and China. Lithuanian companies affected by Chinese trade restrictions will be provided with aid worth around €130 million, the EU Commission announced on Tuesday. The proposal for state assistance was submitted to Brussels from Lithuania. The aid is to […] continue reading →
IfW event on Lithuania dispute: The WTO is the right way
Appealing to the World Trade Organization (WTO) is the EU’s correct response to the dispute with China over Lithuania – but at the same time, the chances of a clear ruling are low. This is the conclusion of a discussion event in the Global China Conversations series at the Kiel Institute for the World Economy […] continue reading →
Lithuania’s China exports declined
Due to the ongoing trade embargo, EU member state Lithuania’s exports to China have fallen drastically in early 2022. In January and February, exports fell 88.4 percent year-on-year to $9.5 million, according to data from China’s customs authority. The People’s Republic has blocked Lithuanian goods in its customs system since early December. The data does […] continue reading →
Lithuania, China and the new realities of global trade
Can and should the EU become more involved in resolving tensions with China? A coordinated European approach is all the more important today, as trade is becoming increasingly political. At the same time, actions such as the creation of the Taiwan Office in Lithuania need to be better coordinated. Otherwise, the EU will be forced to collectively represent policies that are dictated by individual member states. continue reading →
Continental upholds investment plans in Lithuania
Despite the trade dispute between Beijing and Lithuania, Continental intends to continue investing in the Baltic state. The German supplier’s plans have not changed despite pressure from China, the director of Continental’s Lithuanian factory, Shayan Ali, told local newspaper Verslo Žinios. “Our plans in Lithuania are the same as we stated at the beginning – […] continue reading →
Xi: resolve Ukraine conflict through dialogue
In a telephone call with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, China’s head of state Xi Jinping spoke out in favor of dialogue within the framework of the Normandy format to resolve the current tensions between Russia and Ukraine. The Chinese president welcomed France and Germany’s approach and reiterated his full support for the implementation of […] continue reading →
Lithuania’s government calls for united stand against China
Chinese sanctions have prompted Lithuania’s Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis to call on all democratic nations to stand united against “global order disruptors” such as China and Russia. One day before the meeting of the Quad countries Australia, Japan, India and the United States, Landsbergis spoke in the Australian capital Canberra, saying that human rights violations […] continue reading →
Trade dispute: Australia supports Lithuania
Australia and Lithuania have pledged mutual support against economic pressure from China. Australia has long been the most prominent example of how China uses economics and trade as political leverage, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said at a meeting with his Australian counterpart Marise Payne in Canberra on Wednesday. “Now Lithuania joins this exclusive club,” […] continue reading →
Lithuania trade dispute: China agrees to talks with EU
In the coming weeks, the European Union will begin talks with China over its alleged violation of World Trade Organization (WTO) rules concerning its trade blockade of Lithuania. Beijing has agreed to the consultation request submitted by Brussels to the WTO in Geneva last month, the South China Morning Post reported, citing EU sources. Talks […] continue reading →