Lithuania's collapse halts Taiwan talks; Bangladesh PM seeks global investment
Political turmoil in Vilnius suspends economic cooperation with Taipei, while Dhaka's new leader uses Davos and Beijing to pitch stability and climate action.
Lithuania's coalition government resigned on Tuesday, immediately suspending negotiations with Taiwan on an economic cooperation action plan. Both sides confirmed the pause, citing the need to await a new administration. It is the second government collapse in this parliamentary term, deepening uncertainty in the Baltic state that has positioned itself as a vocal China critic.
President Gitanas Nauseda has 15 days to nominate a new prime minister; Social Democrat leader Mindaugas Sinkevicius is the frontrunner but must win parliamentary approval. Viewed from Vilnius, the Taiwan suspension is a domestic political necessity, yet analysts in London suggest it may reflect a wider European recalibration towards Beijing as economic pressures grow.
In a contrasting diplomatic push, Bangladesh's new government is courting global investors. At the Summer Davos forum in Dalian, Prime Minister Tarek Rahman's adviser declared the country "open for business" and outlined climate resilience plans. Rahman is also on a state visit to Beijing, where his information minister is to sign media cooperation agreements with Chinese state outlets, signalling a bid to anchor legitimacy and attract capital after a political transition.
Taiwan's economy, meanwhile, is riding an AI boom. Export orders rose 47.2% year-on-year in May to US$89.48 billion, the 16th consecutive month of growth, fuelled by demand for servers and semiconductors. A Taiwan Expo in Warsaw this week is showcasing AI, electric vehicles, and drones, with plans for a tech park in Poland, reinforcing a strategy of supply-chain diversification through "friend-shoring."
The immediate milestones are procedural. Lithuania's parliament must vote on the president's nominee within weeks, determining whether the Taiwan pause becomes permanent. In Dalian, Rahman attends the World Economic Forum's main session on Wednesday, where further bilateral meetings could solidify investment pledges. Both processes will test the durability of new governments' economic and geopolitical alignments.
How the same story is told elsewhere.
2 editorial groups · 4 languages
Lithuania's suspension of economic talks with Taiwan, attributed to domestic political changes, is seen as a potential harbinger of a broader European recalibration towards pragmatic engagement with Beijing. Economic pressures may be compelling the Baltic nation to reassess its ties, signaling a possible shift away from confrontational stances.
Bangladesh is actively courting global investors and deepening economic ties with China, as evidenced by high-level visits to Dalian and Beijing. The narrative emphasizes the government's commitment to creating a competitive and trustworthy environment, positioning the country as a key player in the evolving landscape of global economic diplomacy.
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