Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Palestinian Ministry of Health: Two were martyred in Israeli shelling that targeted a besieged house in the town of Qabatiya in Jenin
At least 68 dead in migrant shipwreck off Yemen: IOM
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.
Israeli media: 32% of Americans still support "Israel's" war on Hamas, while 60% oppose it.
Israeli media: Core US support for "Israel" hits its lowest, while support for Palestine reaches its highest levels.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent reports martyrs, injuries in Israeli bombardment of home in Heker al-Jame area in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza.
Al-Quds Governorate: Today, the spatial division of Al-Aqsa Mosque began in a public and dangerous manner, and we warn of a religious war in the region
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: This brings the total number of victims of famine and malnutrition to 175, including 93 children

EU ministers to back Lithuania in 'China trade war'

  • By Al Mayadeen Net
  • Source: Agencies
  • 13 Feb 2022 23:09
3 Min Read

French Trade Minister says that the tougher strategy on China and other “disloyal” actors was part of a “paradigm shift” in EU trade policy.

  • x
  • French Trade Minister Franck Riester
    French Trade Minister Franck Riester

French Trade Minister Franck Riester told AFP that his counterparts meeting in Marseille, France, claimed that Lithuania was a victim of what he called China's coercion and that measures to grant Europe new rights to fight back would be expedited.

Relations between Brussels and Beijing are at an all-time low, following the failure to approve a long-awaited investment agreement, which was then met with a wave of tit-for-tat sanctions.

"What China is doing with Lithuania is clearly coercion. The Chinese are using trade and economic weapons to put political pressure on us," Riester claimed.

He said that It doesn't matter what happened between China and Lithuania but criticized the manner that China chose to address the issue.

Lithuania's President, Gitanas Nauseda, had said on January 4, that his country's decision to open a representative office for Taiwan, using the name of the country, was a mistake.

The European Commission, which oversees trade policy for the EU's 27 member states, has already filed a complaint at the World Trade Organization, though the procedure may take months or years.

The EU has stated that diplomatic solutions are also being pursued, but Riester stated that a proposal for Europe is on track to develop what he called an "anti-coercion capability."

Related News

US, China agree to push for tariff pause extension as deadline nears

Iran's intel ministry details achievements amid Israeli war on Iran

It is worth mentioning that the tool could include freezing access to public contracts, holding up health and safety authorizations on certain products, or bans from EU-funded research projects.

Riester claimed that the tougher strategy on China and other “disloyal” actors was part of a “paradigm shift” in EU trade policy that for too long saw free trade and opening new markets as an end in itself.

Trade was an essential part of the European economy, he stated, “but not at any price… not at the price of unfair competition, not at the price of our values."

A summit between the EU and China is to occur in late March as the union's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell announced had announced on January 15.

China Downgrades Relations with Lithuania

China on the 21st of November, 2021 officially downgraded its relations with Lithuania to the level of chargé d'affaires, according to China's Foreign Ministry, in protest of Taiwan opening a de facto representative office in Vilnius.

The foreign ministry protested the move, saying it downgraded diplomatic relations between the two countries to "safeguard its sovereignty."

"The Lithuanian government, in disregard of the Chinese side’s strong objection and repeated dissuasion, has approved the establishment of the so-called ‘Taiwanese Representative Office in Lithuania,'” said China's statement. “The Chinese government expresses strong protest over and firm objection to this extremely egregious act. The Lithuanian side shall be responsible for all the ensuing consequences."

This move, according to the ministry, abandons Lithuania's political commitment in the communiqué on the establishment of diplomatic relations between Lithuania and China.

China called the opening of the embassy on Thursday "a provocative move," and asked Lithuania to "correct its wrong decisions immediately."

  • EU
  • Lithuania
  • China
  • France
  • US

Most Read

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS