US Judge Orders China to Compensate $24bn in Case Related to Covid
A U.S. judge has mandated that China compensate Missouri with $24 billion due to allegations that it provided misleading information about Covid-19 and stockpiled protective equipment. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Beijing has been criticized for jeopardizing lives by stockpiling protective supplies at the onset of the pandemic. A US federal judge has mandated that China pay $24 billion in damages to the state of Missouri due to allegations that Beijing misled the global community regarding the Covid-19 outbreak and hoarded personal protective equipment during the pandemic's initial months.
The lawsuit, initiated by Missouri’s attorney general in April 2020, accused China of endangering the state's residents by withholding crucial information about the virus's spread, which purportedly delayed response efforts. Additionally, it claimed that China intentionally restricted exports of protective gear, leading to price increases and shortages. The state's attorneys noted that Covid-19 ranked as the third-leading cause of death in Missouri during 2020 and 2021, attributing exacerbated crisis conditions to Beijing's actions.
Initially dismissed in 2022 under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act, which limits US courts' abilities to pursue foreign governments for non-commercial actions, the case was later permitted to proceed by an appeals court on the narrower issue of supply hoarding.
On Friday, Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh determined that Missouri had presented “satisfactory” evidence to hold China accountable for “engaging in monopolistic actions to hoard PPE.”
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey praised the ruling as “a landmark victory for Missouri and the US in the fight to hold China accountable for unleashing Covid-19 on the world.” He expressed intentions for the state to “collect every penny,” potentially through the seizure of Chinese-owned assets in Missouri, including farmland.
China has characterized the lawsuit as driven by political motives. “The so-called lawsuit has no basis in fact, law, or international precedent. China does not and will not accept it,” stated Liu Pengyu, a spokesman for the Chinese embassy, warning that Beijing would undertake “reciprocal countermeasures” if the ruling adversely affected its interests. Previously, Beijing labeled the case a “farce,” contesting the jurisdiction of US courts over actions taken by a sovereign nation.
Navid Kalantari contributed to this report for TROIB News
The lawsuit, initiated by Missouri’s attorney general in April 2020, accused China of endangering the state's residents by withholding crucial information about the virus's spread, which purportedly delayed response efforts. Additionally, it claimed that China intentionally restricted exports of protective gear, leading to price increases and shortages. The state's attorneys noted that Covid-19 ranked as the third-leading cause of death in Missouri during 2020 and 2021, attributing exacerbated crisis conditions to Beijing's actions.
Initially dismissed in 2022 under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act, which limits US courts' abilities to pursue foreign governments for non-commercial actions, the case was later permitted to proceed by an appeals court on the narrower issue of supply hoarding.
On Friday, Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh determined that Missouri had presented “satisfactory” evidence to hold China accountable for “engaging in monopolistic actions to hoard PPE.”
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey praised the ruling as “a landmark victory for Missouri and the US in the fight to hold China accountable for unleashing Covid-19 on the world.” He expressed intentions for the state to “collect every penny,” potentially through the seizure of Chinese-owned assets in Missouri, including farmland.
China has characterized the lawsuit as driven by political motives. “The so-called lawsuit has no basis in fact, law, or international precedent. China does not and will not accept it,” stated Liu Pengyu, a spokesman for the Chinese embassy, warning that Beijing would undertake “reciprocal countermeasures” if the ruling adversely affected its interests. Previously, Beijing labeled the case a “farce,” contesting the jurisdiction of US courts over actions taken by a sovereign nation.
Navid Kalantari contributed to this report for TROIB News
