Brussels, 02/12/2025 (Agence Europe) – On Monday 1 December in Geneva, the European Union announced that it was closing its dispute with China, which began in 2022, after Beijing banned imports from Lithuania (see EUROPE 13079/23). The EU took the view that trade flows had resumed and that there was therefore no longer any need for open controversy. According to the European Commission, Lithuania’s exports to China are at similar levels to those in the period prior to the Chinese restrictions (December 2021). The Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not opposed the EU’s decision but claims that Beijing is still imposing import bans on certain products for sanitary and phytosanitary reasons, according to the BNS press agency. China even sanctioned two Lithuanian banks this summer, in response to the 18th package of European sanctions in connection with the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which particularly targeted Chinese banks. (LM)