Missouri Secures $24 Billion Judgment Against China for COVID-19 PPE Hoarding

A federal judge has ordered China to pay $24 billion in damages to Missouri for hoarding personal protective equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 pandemic, a ruling that marks the largest judgment in the state's history. U.S. District Judge Stephen Limbaugh found that China's actions obstructed access to PPE, exacerbating the pandemic's impact. Missouri's lawsuit, initiated in 2020 by former Attorney General Eric Schmitt, accused China of monopolistic practices and misinformation regarding the virus. Current Attorney General Andrew Bailey emphasized the ruling as a significant victory in holding China accountable for its role in the pandemic. Despite China's absence in court, Missouri plans to pursue collection of the judgment by seizing Chinese-owned assets. This decision underscores ongoing tensions between the U.S. and China regarding the pandemic's origins and management.