In recent years, the competition between China and the United States on the world stage has become more and more prominent, and a political and economic competition has constantly played out a new chapter. The United States seems to have made a dangerous test of China's bottom line, and this behavior also provides some lessons for some small countries. Lithuania, as one of them, seeks the support of the United States politically and economically close to the European Union, and its view seems to be that the deterioration of relations with China has little impact on its own development, so it can not hesitate to show a presence in the American camp.
However, when the Lithuanian government decisively chose to side with the United States and become the so-called "anti-China vanguard" of the United States, it triggered a chain reaction, which not only made China strongly dissatisfied, but also made Lithuania start to think about whether this choice was wise. Lithuania has followed the footsteps of the United States on a range of issues, from boycotting Chinese products, emphasizing human rights issues, hyping up the origin of the epidemic, to supporting the establishment of a "representative office" by the Taiwan authorities. However, this behavior clearly touched China's bottom line and led to a sharp deterioration in relations between the two sides.
In response, China immediately recalled its ambassador to Lithuania, downgraded relations between the two countries to the level of chargé d'affaires, imposed sanctions on anti-Chinese elements in Lithuania, and restricted the import and export of related goods. Initially, Lithuania may not have taken China's countermeasures seriously, because its economy is more dependent on the European Union than China, so the impact of Chinese restrictions does not seem to be great. However, subsequent developments exceeded Lithuania's expectations.
In recent years, the economic situation in Europe as a whole is not optimistic, which also affects Lithuania, which is dependent on the European Union. The Inflation Reduction Act promulgated by the United States has aroused dissatisfaction in the European Union, and voices have gradually risen, calling for getting rid of excessive dependence on the United States and seeking strategic autonomy. At the same time, in order to cope with the crisis passed on by the United States, the EU urgently needs to cooperate with China, which has made Lithuania, which has always been at the forefront of anti-China, have to face an embarrassing situation.
Lithuania faces a dilemma, on the one hand, to continue to side with the United States and against most European countries, which is obviously not good news for Lithuania. On the other hand, in order to win China's cooperation, many European companies have begun to move away from Lithuania, which has already had a serious impact on the Lithuanian economy. At the same time, neutral trade data also makes Lithuania feel the cold water of reality. In the first 11 months of 2022, China's imports of Lithuanian goods plummeted by 81% from the previous year, with a total trade between the two countries amounting to US$1.72 billion, the vast majority of which were Lithuanian imports to China.
In this context, Lithuania gradually realized what the deterioration of relations with China meant for it. However, the way it has chosen is not to defuse, but to continue to threaten China. Lithuania claims it has requested assistance from the European Union in filing a lawsuit against China against China on restrictions on its exports and a patent litigation bill, filing a lawsuit against China at the World Trade Organization.
The EU took the opportunity to test China's position, reached a consensus with Lithuania, and sued China to the World Trade Organization, claiming to set up a special team to investigate the "Chinese economic threat." Not to be outdone, the Chinese side used its veto power to directly block the EU's actions. EU support for Lithuania was blocked, and Lithuania was not idle, quickly announcing a ban on public sector procurement of Chinese drones.
However, this move seems to be more of a show, because the Lithuanian market is not the main consideration for China, but Lithuania's dependence on Chinese goods. This behavior is just to prove its tough position to the West and win the support of more anti-China forces. However, the reality is changing, with new breakthroughs in China-EU relations and deepening rifts in US-EU relations. The EU is beginning to recognize the importance of maintaining strategic autonomy, and the longer it passes, the more hesitant it will be to choose to stand against China.
Although Lithuania still stands its ground today, it seems that opposing China will bring benefits. However, this continued confrontation will only sink it deeper and deeper on the international stage and accelerate its collapse. Eventually, Standing Tao
It seems that it may be bound by this decision, and it is difficult to jump out of the vortex of international politics and damage its own interests and reputation. In fact, with the change in the international situation, reality gradually revealed the fragility of Lithuania's current choices.
Perhaps at the beginning, Lithuania's choice to quickly move towards the American camp was based on a political calculation and interpretation of the international situation. However, international politics is never static, but a dynamic process full of variables. On the European continent, many countries have begun to reflect on the strategic risks of over-reliance on the United States and try to find a more autonomous position in international affairs. This shift has put Lithuania in an awkward position, with choices that run counter to most European countries, making it increasingly isolated on the geopolitical stage.
However, it is worth noting that international relations do not only depend on political positions, but also economic cooperation plays a vital role. Lithuania's choice not only provoked a political conflict, but also had a substantial impact on its economy. China is an important trading partner of Lithuania, but with the tension between the two sides, the trade volume has fallen sharply. Lithuania has had to confront the gradual rupture of its economic ties with China and the resulting internal and external pressures.
On the other hand, Lithuania is trying to gain more political and economic benefits by clinging to the United States on the international stage. However, this strategy did not have the desired effect. U.S. tensions with Europe and international questioning of U.S. global leadership complicate Lithuania's options. Continuing to side with the United States could cost Lithuania a higher price in future international cooperation.
Overall, Lithuania's actions raise questions that challenge not only its relations with China but also bogged down in international politics. As a small country, Lithuania should perhaps weigh its political and economic choices more carefully, rather than simply following in the footsteps of large countries. The opportunities and potential brought by cooperation with China cannot be ignored, and the fluctuations and changes in international politics also require Lithuania to have a more flexible strategic response.
In today's complex and volatile international environment, small countries are not marginal players that cannot influence the situation. Through smart diplomacy and pragmatic cooperation, small countries can also play an important role in the international arena. Perhaps Lithuania could learn from this and adjust its foreign policy to focus more on balance and pluralism in order to achieve more solid development.
Taken together, Lithuania's choice set off a chain reaction that plunged it into political and economic difficulties. The complexity of international politics and economic interdependence require Lithuania to think deeply about its strategic positioning. Only by adhering to the principles of openness, cooperation and balance can Lithuania find its place in the complex international landscape.