China’s biased conduct towards Lithuanian financial institutions

11.11.2025

Question for written answer  E-004462/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Liudas Mažylis (PPE)

On 13 August 2025, China announced the imposition of sanctions on two Lithuanian financial institutions, UAB Urbo Bankas and AB Mano Bankas, restricting their access to the Chinese market and financial services. This decision taken by Beijing was clearly a response to the EU’s 18th sanctions package against certain Chinese financial institutions involved in helping Russia to evade sanctions. The Chinese Government has therefore imposed economic measures on specific financial entities in a Member State. This situation raises questions about China’s economic coercion against EU Member States and the Community’s ability to respond to such attacks in a unified manner.

• 1.How does the Commission view China’s decision of 13 August 2025 to impose sanctions on the Lithuanian banks Urbo Bankas and Mano Bankas, and what countermeasures have been taken at EU level?
• 2.Does the Commission intend to initiate additional measures or dispute settlement procedures within the World Trade Organization regarding China’s economic pressure against an EU Member State?
• 3.Would the Commission consider proposing a new mechanism to ensure a collective EU response when a Member State is targeted by economic or political sanctions imposed by third countries?

Submitted: 11.11.2025