U.S. trade chief expresses support for Lithuania amid China ‘coercion’ By Reuters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Commerce Consultant Katherine Tai on Friday expressed sturdy U.S. help for Lithuania and the European Union within the face of “financial coercion” from China throughout a name with EU Government Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis, USTR stated in an announcement.

The expression of help for Lithuania is the second this week from Tai, who had a name with Lithuanian Overseas Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis on Wednesday.

Lithuania is below stress from China, which claims democratically dominated Taiwan as its personal territory, to reverse a choice final 12 months to permit the island to open a de facto embassy in Vilnius below its personal title.

China has recalled its ambassador to Lithuania and downgraded diplomatic ties, and is pressuring firms like German automobile components large Continental to cease utilizing Lithuanian-made parts. It has additionally blocked Lithuanian cargos from coming into China.

“Ambassador Tai emphasised the significance of working with the European Union and its member states to deal with coercive diplomatic and financial habits by means of numerous avenues, together with the U.S.-EU Commerce and Know-how Council,” USTR stated, referring to a brand new cooperative effort launched by Tai and Dombrovskis final September to enhance transatlantic ties and higher compete with China.

Tai and Dombrovskis, who serves because the EU’s commerce chief, additionally mentioned cooperation to deal with “international non-market extra capability” in metal and aluminum, a reference to China’s overproduction of the metals which have flooded world markets.