Missouri Secures $24B Judgment Against China Over COVID-19 Actions

A Missouri court has ruled that the Chinese Communist Party must pay $24 billion in damages after the state accused China of disrupting the supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The case, led by Attorney General Andrew Bailey, argued that China’s interference forced Missouri to spend significantly more on medical supplies while also causing economic losses.

The lawsuit, originally filed in 2020, claimed that China stockpiled PPE, restricted exports, and took control of factories that had been producing essential medical gear. The state argued that these actions not only created a supply shortage but also led to price surges, making it difficult for hospitals and emergency services to acquire necessary equipment.

Judge Stephen Limbaugh, Jr., found that Missouri had provided overwhelming evidence that China’s actions violated state and federal laws. The ruling detailed how Missouri’s healthcare system was forced to pay an extra $122 million for PPE due to shortages and how tax revenue losses topped $8 billion as the economic impact of the pandemic unfolded.

Bailey vowed to collect the judgment, stating that Missouri will pursue Chinese-owned farmland and other assets within the state if China refuses to comply with the court order. China did not respond to the lawsuit, leading to a default ruling in Missouri’s favor.

Missouri is the only state that has successfully sued China over its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. With this legal victory, other states may consider similar actions in an effort to recover damages from the pandemic.

The ruling follows an earlier decision from the Eighth Circuit Court, which sided with Missouri’s arguments. As the case moves into enforcement, attention will shift to how the state plans to collect on the damages awarded.

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