[EpochTimesDecember092021](Epoch Times reporter Xu Jian comprehensive report) On Wednesday (December 8), the European Union accused the CCP of economic persecution against Lithuania and introduced an “anti-coercion” trade sanctions proposal. The EU is required to retaliate against the third country when a third country exerts economic pressure on EU member states and “interferes in the legal sovereignty policies of the member states.” At the same time, it is emphasized that the main purpose of this program is to “deter” the other party.
After Lithuania allowed Taiwan to establish a “Taiwan Representative Office in Lithuania” in November this year, the CCP lowered its diplomatic relations with Lithuania. Lithuania subsequently said that Chinese customs had blocked exports from the country and pressured companies from third countries not to do business with Lithuania. Lithuania described this as “unannounced sanctions” and “an EU member state is subject to unilateral sanctions, which is unprecedented.” The country submitted a letter to the EU on the 6th, asking the EU to make a “strong response.”
According to this “anti-coercion” draft, when any person, company or country tries to coerce EU member states, the European Commission does not need the unanimous consent of 27 countries to immediately impose corresponding sanctions. If the EU followed the previous diplomatic pressure method, every sanction would require the unanimous consent of 27 member states, and the procedure would be much slower.
“At a time when geopolitical tensions intensify, trade is increasingly weaponized, and the EU and its member states have become targets of economic intimidation. We must respond appropriately.” EU Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis ( Valdis Dombrovskis) stated in a statement, “Through this proposal, we have sent a clear message that the EU will firmly defend the interests of its member states.”
According to the draft, after receiving a complaint from a member state, the European Commission needs to determine whether a third country constitutes coercion. When the EU is convinced that “coercion is occurring”, the Commission will seek to negotiate with the third country or seek mediation or cooperation from other partners. A series of punitive measures can be taken.
Sanctions include: imposing tariffs on goods and services, using quotas or trading licenses to suspend market access, and restricting public procurement projects and investment market access, etc., and companies participating in coercion may be prohibited from purchasing and subject to EU export control The products are excluded from “the EU’s huge financial services and other industries.” When developing the EU food market, they will also face sanitary or phytosanitary obstacles.
The proposal said that the sanctions should be “proportionate” and aimed at prompting third countries to stop their persecution and cause minimal damage to the EU economy. Therefore, the EU regards economic sanctions as a “last resort” and will only use them when other efforts have failed.
This proposal was originally proposed by the European Union to counter the US Trump administration’s tariffs on Europe. Now Lithuania has filed a complaint with the European Union and is put on the table again.
This proposal must be approved by the European Council and the European Parliament, and then implemented by the European Commission.
The EU warns that the CCP’s coercion of Lithuania “will affect the entire EU-China relationship”
Lithuania’s trade agency said on Tuesday (December 7) that Chinese customs no longer directly block the import of Lithuanian goods, but the country’s goods still face lengthy procedures and delays in the procurement process when they enter China.
In response to the CCP’s economic oppression in Lithuania, the EU’s high representative for foreign and security policy Josep Borrell and EU executive vice president Valdis Dombrovskis issued a joint statement on December 8.
The statement read, “The EU has learned that Lithuanian goods cannot be cleared at Chinese customs and the import application has been rejected. We are in close contact with the Lithuanian government and are collecting information in a timely manner through the EU delegation in Beijing. We are also working with the Chinese authorities. Get in touch to quickly clarify the situation.
“In our interactions with all countries, maintaining unity and harmony within the EU is the key to safeguarding our interests and values. The EU is ready to stand up against political pressure and coercive measures imposed on any member state. China (the CCP) and the EU The bilateral relations between the member states will have an impact on the entire EU-China relationship.”
The statement also said that if the information received is confirmed, the EU will also assess whether the CCP’s actions violated relevant World Trade Organization regulations. The statement concluded that the EU will “cooperate and exchange in areas of common concern” with Taiwan within the long-term policy framework of “One China.”
Editor in charge: Lin Yan#
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