Missouri has taken legal action against China, demanding $25 billion in damages. The state claims that China’s actions at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic caused significant harm. The lawsuit argues that China hoarded vital medical supplies, like masks and ventilators, making it harder for the U.S. to fight the virus.
The case was first filed in 2020, and Missouri says China deliberately hid crucial information about the virus while controlling the supply of personal protective equipment (PPE). According to Missouri’s legal team, China’s interference in the production and trade of PPE led to widespread shortages, hurting healthcare workers and ordinary citizens.
Missouri’s lawsuit aims to hold China accountable for these alleged actions. The state’s Attorney General argues that if China had acted responsibly, the effects of the pandemic could have been less severe. The case seeks financial compensation for the damage Missouri faced during the crisis.
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Legal Battles and Court Decisions
The lawsuit has faced several legal obstacles. Initially, a lower court dismissed the case, citing the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA) of 1976. This law generally protects foreign governments from being sued in U.S. courts. However, in 2024, the U.S. Court of Appeals revived part of the case, allowing Missouri to proceed with claims related to China’s alleged hoarding of PPE.
The court ruled that these claims could be treated as an “antitrust violation,” meaning they relate to unfair trade practices rather than government policy. This distinction allows Missouri to move forward with its case, despite the usual legal protections for foreign governments.
However, the court did not allow Missouri to pursue claims that China covered up information about the virus, as such accusations fall under sovereign immunity laws. The focus of the trial will be on China’s handling of PPE supplies and whether its actions harmed Missouri’s residents.
China’s Response and What Comes Next
China has strongly denied all accusations and refuses to participate in the lawsuit. Chinese officials have called the case “absurd” and claim it has no legal basis. Reports indicate that when the trial begins on Monday, Jan. 27, China will not send any legal representatives to defend itself.
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Instead, the Chinese government has issued warnings to the U.S., stating that if such lawsuits continue, China could take legal action against the U.S. in its own courts. In an official diplomatic notice, China declared that it “does not accept and will not participate in such lawsuits” and reserves the right to take “reciprocal countermeasures.” This suggests that China may retaliate by targeting American businesses or officials in its own legal system.
If China does not show up to court, Missouri could win by default. In legal terms, a default judgment means that if one party refuses to participate, the judge can rule in favor of the other side automatically. This could make it easier for Missouri to claim damages, but enforcing such a judgment could be challenging, as China is unlikely to pay any compensation willingly.
The lawsuit adds to the already strained relationship between the U.S. and China. With Missouri pushing forward in court and China threatening countermeasures, tensions between the two countries continue to rise.