European unity between Chinese beef and Lithuania meets selfishness
Author: Herbert Titter, German Institute for International and Security Affairs
Lithuania has been operating since 2021. in the middle Purpose Chinese diplomatic censorship and economic laxity. The Lithuanian government has angered Beijing by two means: withdrawal from the 17 + 1 process, which allows the opening of a platform for dialogue between Eastern European countries and China, and an office representing the Taiwanese government.
Although Lithuania is small, its policymakers believe it can determine its own foreign policy, including diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
But the conflict between Lithuania and China turned into a confrontation between China and the European Union. China has responded diplomatically to the Lithuanian government, and even a small country is reluctant to tolerate withdrawal from the 17 + 1 dialogue, which is one of President Xi Jinping’s most precious plans. It is more important not to allow Lithuania to establish relations with Taiwan. China fears that tolerating such actions has led another country to do so.
Brussels is trying to support an EU Member State but does not want to jeopardize economic relations with China. Although they do not yet know how to deal with Beijing, European policymakers are at least aware of the challenge facing China. The SloganFirst published in 2019, it embraces the ambiguity of European policy towards China as a partner, competitor and competitor of the Institute. Lithuania’s case forces the EU to choose to tolerate China’s policy in defending its trade interests or to defend a small member state that cannot resist Beijing without the support of other member states.
Although Lithuania has little trade with China, Germany is dependent on Chinese trade. The former sends 1 percent of its exports to China, the latter 7 percent. In 2021, Germany exported goods Respect China 104.6 million € 110 billion (US average), more than the other ten EU countries combined. In German society, trade has long been decoupled from foreign policy. Trade with both China and Russia was considered legitimate because it was thought that in the long run, trade would contribute to making these countries more open and democratic.
2021 Herbert Dice, CEO of Volkswagen Noted Only 5.7 percent of the world’s population lives in “we know” democracies. However, the Economist Democracy Index cited by Diesso identifies countries such as Belgium, Italy, France and the United States as “defective” democracies. Importantly, not a single German newspaper has questioned the justification for doing business in China and other non-democratic countries.
Germany was one of the EU countries that initially expressed sympathy for Lithuania. However, there is no collective response to China’s threat. This may change as Brussels considers a list of sanctions for countries seeking to influence political processes. So called Measure against coercion The European Commission will allow the introduction of tariffs and quotas and restrict their groups to financial markets, public procurement and EU-funded research projects.
German business drew attention to the Lithuanian issue. The direct reason is that China has not only boycotted direct exports from Lithuania, but also products made in Lithuania with components, which has affected the suppliers of some German car parts suppliers. The European Commission has filed a lawsuit against China in the World Trade Organization over the boycott.
However, there is reason to doubt the EU’s ability to improve China in this conflict. First, there is little evidence that the Chinese government officially controls imports. Beijing says private sector companies are changing their distribution systems and it will be difficult for the EU to provide sufficient evidence that import restrictions are the result of government orders rather than business decisions.
EU support for Lithuanian politics, led by the Taiwanese government agency rather than the Taipei Liaison Office, is declining. Lithuanian President Kitan Nousada said it was “wrong” to allow Taiwan to open an office under such an offensive name.
Finally, Beijing still wants to disconnect from Western suppliers. You have traditionally known that China’s development requires imports from OECD countries. However, President Xi has stated in small cases that imports are desirable, that imports from OECD countries be Chinese companies, private or public, and that Beijing may not have to worry as they restructure their supply chains.
The European Union continues to review its external economic relations with Ukraine as a result of the current war. EU Member States are monitoring the weakening of ethics in international relations, and strong adherence to the Baltic States is a key component of Brussels’ response. Lithuania’s experience helps to show the influence of small economies on economic coercion, which the EU should strive to reduce.
At the same time, Brussels has to deal with China and Russia. Some argue that this is a good opportunity for a less economic monitoring link with the two dictatorships, while others worry that a values-based foreign policy could lead to a loss of income and jobs. In geopolitical competition, the EU is fighting between China and the US.
Herbert Dieter is a senior member of the German Institute for International and Security Affairs in Berlin and a visiting professor at the University of Zeppelin on Lake Constance.