As the European Union (EU) considers dropping its World Trade Organisation (WTO) case against China, which will impose trade restrictions on Lithuania starting in 2021, President Gitanas Nausėda says the case should be continued.

The WTO suspended the case in January 2024 following an EU appeal. According to the WTO, if a case is suspended for more than 12 months, it is terminated, so Lithuania should find out the future of the case this January.

„Yes, I understand that it is not easy to present the evidence, to argue the case, but it is certainly within the power of the European Commission. That is why we encourage the European Commission not to lose heart, to continue with this case and to hope for a positive outcome," the head of state told reporters in Vilnius on Sunday.

„There are still some problems, which are related to the fact that far from all restrictions or limitations have been lifted“, – said Nausėda.

Lithuania's decision to allow a Taiwanese representative office in Vilnius in 2021 has strained relations between Vilnius and Beijing. China says the decision to name the mission "Taiwanese" reflects Taiwan's attempts to act as an independent state, which the communist country believes contradicts its "One China" policy.

The name of the representative office has led China to apply economic and political pressure on Lithuania, warning foreign companies to stop cooperation if they use Lithuanian-made parts.

In response to Beijing's pressure, in February 2022, the EU took Lithuania to the WTO over what it said were discriminatory Chinese trade practices against Lithuania.