Lithuania-China row: EU escalates trade dispute with Beijing

The EU has accused China of “illegal” trade practices as it launched an official dispute on behalf of one of its smallest member states.

The row was sparked when Lithuania allowed Taiwan to open a de facto embassy there, angering Beijing which sees Taiwan as part of its territory.

China downgraded its diplomatic relations with Lithuania, but denies ordering a boycott of Lithuanian goods.

The EU has now taken the case to the World Trade Organisation.

European Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis said China was blocking Lithuanian imports and imports from other EU states, if they have components coming from Lithuania.

But experts say the WTO case could easily become bogged down.

Lithuania’s president has since said the name was a mistake with reports a “modification” is being considered.

Valdis Dombrovskis said: “The EU is respecting the One-China policy and our assessment is that steps taken by Lithuania do not step out of the One-China policy framework.”

Beijing has denied ordering a trade boycott but the European Commission says it has evidence that China is refusing to clear Lithuanian goods through customs, rejecting import applications and pressuring EU companies to remove Lithuanian inputs from their supply chains.

AGENCIES