Lithuania PM: Taiwan Embassy Move Was 'Maybe Too Brave'
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- Mindaugas Sinkevicius, Lithuania's new Prime Minister, told Parliament on July 14, 2026 that the 2021 decision to allow Taiwan's de-facto embassy was "maybe too brave" and not in line with "the rest of Europe," as his government manifesto set the goal of normalising relations back to mutual ambassadors.
- China downgraded diplomatic ties with Lithuania in late 2021 after the "Taiwanese" representative office opened, then pressured multinational companies to sever ties and closed its market to Lithuanian beef and dairy—triggering a WTO challenge from the EU.
- Sinkevicius said he believes the relationship with China can be restored "without a change in the Taiwanese representation," though he did not detail what "several options" his Foreign Ministry is weighing.
- Taiwan's Foreign Ministry said bilateral cooperation is "unaffected by any third party" and pledged to "actively discuss cooperation plans" in trade, economy, and investment with the new Lithuanian government.
- The EU adopted an "anti-coercion instrument" allowing the bloc to retaliate against third countries that use economic pressure to force member-state policy shifts—a tool shaped directly by the Lithuania case.
- China's Foreign Ministry said in February 2026 that "the door for communication" was open but called on Lithuania to "promptly rectify its error," signalling that mere rhetoric may not be enough.
- Lithuania's new government manifesto also pledges defence spending above 5% of GDP and seeks a continued U.S. troop presence as a deterrent against Russia, while continuing support for Ukraine.
Why it matters: Lithuania, a nation of 2.9 million, is publicly walking back its 2021 Taiwan embassy decision while China demands it 'rectify its error.' The EU's anti-coercion instrument and WTO challenge over Lithuanian beef and dairy are Brussels' leverage—but Sinkevicius offered no specifics on restoring ties without changing Taiwan's office, which Beijing views as implying statehood.
