aiwan Tobacco and Liquor steps in to support Lithuania amidst ongoing diplomatic tensions with China.
Taiwan’s state-owned Taiwan Tobacco and Liquor (TTL) has purchased 20,400 bottles of Lithuanian rum that were originally meant for export to China but were blocked due to a diplomatic dispute between Vilnius and Beijing. The rum, which was due to arrive in China, was caught in the middle of the ongoing tensions after Lithuania announced plans to establish diplomatic ties with Taiwan.
TTL made the purchase in December after learning that Chinese authorities were set to reject the shipment. In a statement, TTL expressed their support for Lithuania, saying, “TTL stood up at the right time, purchased the rum and brought it to Taiwan,” emphasizing the shared diplomatic support between the two countries.
Lithuania has faced increasing trade restrictions and other punitive measures from China after its decision to open mutual diplomatic posts with Taiwan, which Beijing sees as a breakaway province. The Taiwanese government, along with TTL, saw the purchase as a gesture of solidarity with Lithuania, and even shared cocktail recipes with the public to encourage people to support the initiative.
