More and more European countries are beginning to feel the effects of China’s blockade of Lithuanian exports. Valdis Dombrovskis, Vice-President of the European Commission (EC), told the German newspaper Die Welt in an interview. At present, it seems that Chinese customs refuse to process goods if they contain any ingredients manufactured in Lithuania, the portal lsm.lv reports.
Official Beijing continues to deny that it has lifted any trade blockade against Lithuania. However, the facts increasingly suggest otherwise. In an interview with the German newspaper Die Welt, Dombrovskis, the vice-president of the EC and trade commissioner, has said that what is happening affects not only Lithuania, but also other European countries.
Dombrovskis said that the EC is starting to receive more and more information about shipments from Europe that are stuck in Chinese ports.
Chinese customs appear to be refusing to allow any goods or equipment manufactured in the European Union (EU) into the country if they contain components from Lithuania.
The Trade Commissioner added that the numbers are growing every day and there are quite a few such cases. In addition, the blockade applies to both large and small consignments. Given the huge volume of trade between China and the EU, it is no wonder that the number of trapped shipments is rising sharply.
The EC is currently using political and diplomatic channels to address this situation. Among other things, Dombrovskis talked about this issue with the Chinese ambassador to the EU.
But if the situation is not resolved through negotiations, the EC could be ready to lodge a complaint with the World Trade Organization.
The Commissioner added that the EU would like to find a mutually acceptable solution to this dispute. However, everyone must be prepared that this may fail.
As you know, in November, China downgraded diplomatic relations with Lithuania in protest at the opening of a Taiwanese mission in Vilnius. Official Beijing strongly opposes any international use of the Taiwanese name, as the territory is considered part of China.
Complaints about problems with Chinese customs have also been made in recent weeks from various Lithuanian businessmen and their representatives.
Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonīte recently spoke with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken about China’s economic pressure. In a statement issued, the Lithuanian government quoted Šimonīte as saying that it was important for democracies and allies to exchange information on China’s actions and coordinate their actions.
As you know, Washington, under both the previous and the current presidency, has a much tougher policy on China than Europe. U.S. politicians also indirectly blame Europeans for not wanting to act sharply enough. A clear example of this is the diplomatic boycott proposed by the United States at the Winter Olympics. European countries are largely refusing to follow suit, and French President Emmanuel Macron even called it an ineffective step.
The United States has also just introduced an almost total ban on exports from China’s Xinjiang province, as forced labor is widely used there. These are in particular the tomatoes, cotton and polysilicone used in the production of solar panels.
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