UPDATE 1: In the face of China's 'coercion,' the United States' trade representative declares support for Lithuania
UPDATE 1: In the face of China's 'coercion,' the United States' trade representative declares support for Lithuania
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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, WASHINGTON – During a call with EU Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis on Friday, US Trade Representative Katherine Tai reiterated strong US support for Lithuania and the European Union in the face of “economic coercion” from China, according to USTR.

Tai’s contact with Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis on Wednesday was his second this week to show his support for the country.

China has summoned its ambassador to Lithuania and downgraded diplomatic ties, and it is forcing companies such as Continental, a German auto parts manufacturer, to stop utilising Lithuanian-made components. Lithuanian cargos have also been denied entry into China.

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“Ambassador Tai emphasised the importance of working with the European Union and its member states through various avenues, including the US-EU Trade and Technology Council,” the US Trade Representative said, referring to a new cooperative effort launched by Tai and Dombrovskis last September to improve transatlantic ties and better compete with China.

Tai and Dombrovskis, the EU’s trade commissioner, also talked about working together to eliminate “global non-market excess capacity” in steel and aluminium, a reference to China’s overproduction of the metals that has inundated global markets.