State Department Official Voices Support for Lithuania Against China’s ‘Coercive Behavior’

U.S. Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman leaves after a meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, on Feb. 22, 2015. Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images

The United States is determined to stand with Lithuania against China after Beijing pulled its envoy in retaliation for the Baltic nation’s decision to develop closer ties with Taiwan, according to U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman.

Sherman made the commitment in a phone conversation with Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis on Aug. 13. Beijing’s diplomatic outburst came after Lithuania agreed to allow Taiwan to open an office in the Baltic nation under the name of “Taiwan.”