遇经济危机知道怂了？立陶宛商界首次服软，喊话中国停止“制裁”

Core Viewpoint - Lithuania's economic struggles stem from its diplomatic decision to support Taiwan, leading to severe trade repercussions from China, which has significantly impacted its economy and supply chains [2][4][10]. Group 1: Economic Impact - Lithuania's GDP is approximately $70 billion, with a significant external debt of $40 billion, making it vulnerable to economic shocks [4]. - Trade with China plummeted by over 90%, severely affecting Lithuania's exports, which were previously valued at several hundred million dollars annually [2][4]. - The economic sanctions led to rising unemployment rates and a decline in key industries such as laser technology and food processing [4][6]. Group 2: Business Community Response - The Lithuanian business community expressed dissatisfaction with the government's aggressive stance towards China, indicating that the loss of the Chinese market was unsustainable for small enterprises [6][10]. - A survey revealed that 87% of Lithuanians opposed the government's policy towards China, prompting calls for a shift in diplomatic strategy to alleviate economic distress [6][19]. - Business representatives began lobbying for a collective European response to pressure China into easing trade restrictions, highlighting the interconnectedness of EU supply chains [10][17]. Group 3: Government's Shift in Stance - In late 2022, Lithuania's Economic Minister acknowledged China's importance in the global economy, signaling a potential shift in policy to seek trade support from China [8][12]. - The Lithuanian government began to show signs of softening its stance, with the President admitting that the decision to open a representative office in Taiwan was a mistake [8][12]. - By early 2023, discussions were underway to restore diplomatic relations with China, and some trade restrictions were gradually lifted, leading to a slight recovery in exports [12][19]. Group 4: Future Outlook - Despite some recovery in trade, tensions remain as Lithuania continues to engage with Taiwan, which may complicate future relations with China [12][14]. - The new government has expressed intentions to rectify previous diplomatic errors, but the path to normalization with China is uncertain [12][19]. - The ongoing economic crisis has taught Lithuania the risks of small nations navigating complex geopolitical landscapes, particularly in relation to larger powers like China and the U.S. [16][19].