The United States is now seeking assistance from Lithuania as its egg shortage worsens due to a bird flu outbreak that has severely impacted poultry farms, driving egg prices higher. Previously, the US approached Finland, Denmark, Sweden, and the Netherlands for egg imports, as reported by Danish magazine AgriWatch. While the responses from most countries remain unclear, Finland has declined the request, citing a lack of market access agreements. With limited options, the US has now turned its attention to Lithuania.

According to a report in LRT, the US embassy in Warsaw contacted Lithuanian poultry producers about exporting eggs. Gytis Kauzonas, head of the Lithuanian Poultry Association, confirmed that embassy officials met with Lithuanian company heads to discuss the idea.

“We have provided the requested information, but we have not yet received a reply," Kauzonas told Verslo Žinios, as quoted by LRT.

As the US scrambles for eggs, Reddit users wasted no time in mocking the situation with one user calling it “door-to-door begging." Many pointed out the irony given past tensions between the US and Europe when President Donald Trump threatened tariffs and dismissed European allies.

A person said, “This is just top-notch, isn’t it? First, insult your bordering allies, threaten to annex Canada, then threaten your overseas allies with annexing Greenland, then insult them saying they exist solely to screw the US, then start the most ridiculous trade war the world has yet seen…and then beg for eggs because the shortage is getting out of hand."

Someone else said, “The greatest country in the world doesn’t have affordable eggs."

“Nothing says Make America Great Again than begging other countries for some eggs," joked an individual

“My god they’re just going around with their hands held out aren’t they?" another user commented.

The bird flu outbreak has severely affected the US poultry industry. As per LRT, the H5N1 strain has been found in over 166 million birds which has caused a major drop in egg production.

Trump had promised to bring down egg prices on his first day in office. However, in February, the first full month of his administration, prices went up by 59% compared to the previous year, Reuters reported.

By early March, the average wholesale price for a dozen eggs had hit a record high of over $8 (around Rs 700), according to Newsweek. Prices have come down slightly since then now around $6 (around Rs 520), as per Trading Economics. But they are still much higher than before.