K. Budrys, Lithuania's foreign minister, has raised concerns regarding China's intentional economic pressures on European industries. He emphasizes that China aims to exert control and leverage over Europe by exploiting its dependencies, and warns that both Lithuania and the broader European Union must learn from past experiences of economic coercion. Budrys's remarks come during a meeting of EU diplomats in Brussels, called by EU foreign affairs chief Kaia Kallas, indicating a unified effort among European nations to address these challenges.

During the Brussels meeting, Budrys highlighted the solidarity shown by EU member states towards Lithuania, especially after the country faced economic pressure from China. He called for continued unity within the EU and urged member states to maintain pressure on China to end its support for Russia's war against Ukraine. This call for solidarity is crucial as European nations grapple with the implications of Chinese economic tactics and the need for a coherent response to support Lithuania and prevent broader geopolitical repercussions.

Budrys also pointed out the painful lessons learned from economic coercion that not only affect Lithuania but the entire European landscape. The comments stress the importance of a united front among EU nations to mitigate the risks posed by external economic influences and to ensure that Europe collectively navigates the challenges posed by China, aiming for a decrease in global trade imbalances while standing firm against authoritarian pressures.