Lithuania is looking to export agricultural goods to Taiwan. That was the word from Taiwan’s foreign ministry on Tuesday.
Lithuania has been asking about export processes in the wake of a reported Chinese ban on Lithuanian beef. The ministry said that it condemns China’s economic coercion against Lithuania.
Many Lithuanian goods such as rum and chocolate have become very popular in Taiwan due to warming ties between the two countries. Last year, local media reports said people in Taiwan spent over US$90 million on Lithuanian goods. This consumer enthusiasm for Lithuanian products began after Lithuania donated COVID vaccines to Taiwan during its vaccine shortage last year.
China has been banning the import of Lithuanian products because it welcomed a Taiwanese Representative Office to its capital.
The head of the ministry’s Department of European Affairs Chen Li-kuo said that all products would be handled according to Taiwan’s rules and regulations. Once they are further along the process, Chen will be happy to report the details of the Lithuanian imports to the public.
The European Union recently filed a case against China at the World Trade Organization for its discriminatory practices against Lithuania. The ministry said it is closely watching this case and fully supports the EU and Lithuania.