Lithuania Shows How to Be Strong When Other Countries Try to Hurt Its Economy

Apr 25, 2026, 08:00

Introduction

Lithuania is a small country in Europe. For many years, Russia and China tried to hurt its economy. Lithuania changed its plans. It found new friends to trade with. It stopped buying energy from Russia. The Minister of Economy visited Canada to talk about working together.

Main Body

Russia and China put pressure on Lithuania. Russia stopped some trade. China stopped trade in 2021 because Lithuania let Taiwan open an office. This was hard for Lithuania. Lithuania made a new plan in 2022. It decided to trade with many countries, like Canada. It did not want to depend on only a few partners. This plan worked well. Lithuania's economy grew by 2.9% last year. That is almost two times more than the EU average. Lithuania also stopped buying gas from Russia in 2022. It was the first EU country to do this. By 2025, it cut all energy links to Russia. Now it gets gas from the United States. Other countries watch Lithuania. Some experts say Lithuania showed Europe that China is a problem. But Canada wants to be friends with China to protect itself from the USA. Lithuania's way is different.

Conclusion

Lithuania's plan to change its trade and energy helped it become strong. The country is small, so it could change quickly. Other countries can learn from Lithuania. If they make new friends and stop depending on one country, they can also be safe.

Vocabulary Learning

economy (n.)
financial system / the system of money and business in a country經濟
Example:Lithuania's economy grew by 2.9% last year.
partner (n.)
a person or country you work with合作夥伴
Example:Lithuania found new trade partners.
plan (n.)
idea or arrangement for the future計劃
Example:Lithuania made a new plan in 2022.
pressure (n.)
force or stress / trying to make someone do something壓力
Example:Russia and China put pressure on Lithuania.
trade (n.)
buying and selling goods貿易
Example:Russia stopped some trade with Lithuania.

Sentence Learning

For many years, Russia and China tried to hurt its economy.
Time Marker: "For many years" shows a long period in the past.「For many years」表示過去的一段長時間。
China stopped trade in 2021 because Lithuania let Taiwan open an office.
Time Marker & Reason: "in 2021" gives the time, and "because" gives the reason.「in 2021」提供時間，「because」提供原因。
Lithuania's economy grew by 2.9% last year.
Time Marker & Prepositional Phrase: "last year" tells when, and "by 2.9%" shows the amount.「last year」說明時間，「by 2.9%」說明增長幅度。
By 2025, it cut all energy links to Russia.
Time Marker & Prepositional Phrase: "By 2025" sets a deadline, and "to Russia" shows the target.「By 2025」設定截止時間，「to Russia」指出目標。
But Canada wants to be friends with China to protect itself from the USA.
Basic Connector & Prepositional Phrases: "But" shows contrast; "with China" and "from the USA" show relationships.「But」表示對比；「with China」和「from the USA」表示關係。