(Euro News Network, December 2nd) According to Euro News Agency, on December 1st local time, the EU formally submitted a statement to the WTO to withdraw the dispute settlement proceedings initiated against China, citing that "the key objective of the dispute has been achieved, and relevant trade has been restored."
WTO (Photo source: Internet)
The dispute originated from Lithuania's allowing the Taipei office to establish under the name "Taiwan," which seriously violated the One-China Principle. In response, China subsequently downgraded its diplomatic relations with Lithuania to the level of chargé d'affaires. Lithuanian trade with China was affected, with its exports to China plummeting by 80% in 2022. The EU filed a lawsuit against China with the WTO that same year, claiming to have evidence of China's "illegal trade practices," including "refusing to clear customs for Lithuanian goods." At the time, the Chinese government rejected these accusations, calling them baseless.
With the arrival of a new government in Lithuania in 2024, which adjusted its policy toward China and attempted to restore bilateral relations, Sino-Lithuanian trade gradually recovered. In the first half of 2025, Lithuania's imports from China increased by 36%, reaching 2.2 billion euros, far exceeding the EU average of 13%. Trade in sectors such as laser equipment and biotechnology, which had previously suffered losses, also gradually returned to normal.
The EU stated that because "relevant trade has been restored," Brussels believes there is no need to continue pursuing this complaint. However, it still emphasized that the EU will continue to monitor the situation and will not rule out re-filing the complaint if necessary.
(Translated by Terry)
Original: toutiao.com/article/7579075774695719474/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author.