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A30 world news
Diasabra 29 Januari 2022

EU launches WTO action against China over Lithuania dispute

Beijing of holding up goods,
both from the Baltic nation “This step is a clear message
and from EU companies that to China that the EU will not
use Lithuanian components, tolerate politically motivated
at China’s borders. actions of economic coer-
cion,” Foreign Minister Ga-
“Let me be clear: these mea- brielius Landsbergis said.
sures are a threat to the integ-
rity of the EU single market The European Commission
so it affects the entire EU manages trade on behalf of
trade and EU supply chains, the 27 EU member coun-
and they have a negative ef- tries. It says it has built up
fect on EU industry,” Dom- evidence of Chinese restric-
brovskis said. tions. They include a refusal
to clear Lithuanian goods
Even if Lithuania only has through customs, the rejec-
a population of 2.8 million, tion of import applications
Dombrovkis said not react- from Lithuania, and pressur-
ing to Beijing’s action could ing European companies.
affect the whole bloc of 450
million people. The WTO process, though,
can take many months, if not
“China is putting pressure years, before a final decision
(AP) — The European that the Taiwanese office in proach. on international companies is reached.
Union and China on Vilnius would bear the name to abandon the use of Lithu-
Thursday stepped up their Taiwan instead of Chinese “We also advise the EU to anian components in their Thursday’s move is likely to
diplomatic dispute as the Taipei, a term used by other distinguish right from wrong, production. Otherwise, they further dent relations that
EU took a spat over ex- countries to avoid offending remain vigilant against Lithu- may face import restrictions,” China long saw as favorable
ports problems for mem- Beijing. ania’s attempts to hijack Chi- said Dombrovskis. Because to counterbalance the eco-
ber state Lithuania to na-EU relations, and per- of it, such an economic move nomic and political strife it
world trade’s governing EU Trade Commissioner suade Lithuania, like other against one member state, faced with the United States.
body, and accused Beijing Valdis Dombrovskis insisted EU member states, to fulfill made it a trade attack on all. Last year, the EU joined
of seeking to undermine the bloc was owed more re- the political commitments it Washington, Britain and
the 27-nation bloc’s single spect and said Beijing should made as establishing diplo- “The EU is determined to Canada in imposing sanc-
market. stop coercing member states matic relations with China,” act as one and act fast against tions on Chinese officials
with heavy-handed trade Zhao said. measures in breach of WTO over accusations they are
China retorted that the EU tactics like blocking imports rules,” Dombrovskis said. linked to the abuse of ethnic
should “distinguish right based on political grounds. “We urge Lithuania to imme- The powerful Federation minorities. Beijing retaliated
from wrong.” It said Brussels diately correct its mistake,” of German Industries, Ger- by announcing it would pe-
should get Lithuania to stick “Our relationship requires he added. many’s main industry lob- nalize four European legisla-
to diplomatic relations based mutual respect,” Dombrovs- by group, said the Chinese tors, among others.
on the “one-China” princi- kis said as he announced the Beijing expelled the Lithu- measures targeting Lithu-
ple at the expense of Taiwan, EU action at the World Trade anian ambassador and with- ania “also are causing signifi- Those countermeasures in
which Beijing considers part Organization. drew its own ambassador. cant uncertainty for German effect froze the approval of
of its territory with no right Last month, Lithuania closed companies” that use Lithu- a potentially massive invest-
to diplomatic recognition. However, China’s foreign af- its embassy in the Chi- anian components. ment deal between China
fairs spokesman Zhao Lijian nese capital. Tensions have and the EU which was ten-
Lithuania broke with dip- insisted the EU should move mounted, and Lithuania, to- Lithuania was grateful for the tatively agreed in December
lomatic custom by agreeing to counter its member’s ap- gether with the EU, accuse support. 2020.

Peru bans Repsol execs from leaving country after oil spill

(AP) — A Peruvian judge ecutors also opened an inves- ing there’s a “potential risk” with the authorities in the in- people, including local fish-
on Friday banned Repsol’s tigation for the crime of envi- that Repsol’s Peru director, vestigation and also working ermen, to clean the beaches.
Peru director and three ronmental contamination. Jaime Fernández-Cuesta, and on the cleaning of the beach- The company has also prom-
other executives from three executives would leave es affected. ised to deliver food baskets to
leaving the country for 18 Judge Romualdo Aguedo im- the country. The company affected families.
months while the govern- posed the ban after consider- has said that it’s cooperating Repsol hired more than 2,000
ment investigates an oil
spill at a refinery run by
the Spain-based company.

Peru authorities are investi-
gating Repsol following the
oil spill on Jan. 15, which was
reported after surging waves
caused by the eruption of
an underwater volcano near
Tonga.

Peru declared last week an
environmental emergency
after announcing that 21
beaches on its Pacific coast
were contaminated by the
spill of 6,000 barrels. Pros-