Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey announced a “historic” $24 billion judgment against China for “unleashing the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“This is a landmark victory for Missouri and the United States in the fight to hold China accountable for unleashing COVID-19 on the world,” Bailey said.
“China refused to show up to court, but that doesn’t mean they get away with causing untold suffering and economic devastation. We intend to collect every penny by seizing Chinese-owned assets, including Missouri farmland,” he added.
“Today, Missouri secured a $24 BILLION judgment against the Chinese Communist Party in a historic COVID lawsuit. This ruling is 6x larger than the biggest court judgment in Missouri’s history. Missouri is leading the fight,” Bailey wrote on X.
🚨BREAKING: Today, Missouri secured a $24 BILLION judgment against the Chinese Communist Party in a historic COVID lawsuit.
This ruling is 6x larger than the biggest court judgment in Missouri’s history.
Missouri is leading the fight.
— Attorney General Andrew Bailey (@AGAndrewBailey) March 7, 2025
Per Andrew Bailey:
The Federal court ruled that Missouri “has established this claim of damages through evidence satisfactory to the court,” proving that China caused and exacerbated the COVID-19 pandemic, harming Missourians. The ruling follows former Attorney General Eric Schmitt’s 2020 lawsuit against the Chinese Communist Party for obstructing the production, purchase, and export of critical medical equipment, including PPE, during the pandemic.
Missouri will now move to collect the $24 billion judgment and, if necessary, will work with the Trump Administration to identify and seize Chinese-owned assets — a critical step in protecting Missouri’s economy and national security.
“When I was AG in Missouri I sued China for unleashing Covid on the world. My successor & friend
@AGAndrewBailey continued the work & today the court awarded Missouri $24+ Billion in damages. Missouri can now seize assets. Just call us the Show Me (the money) state,” Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO) commented.
🚨BREAKING: When I was AG in Missouri I sued China for unleashing Covid on the world
My successor & friend @AGAndrewBailey continued the work & today the court awarded Missouri $24+ Billion in damages
Missouri can now seize assets
Just call us the Show Me (the money) state.
— Eric Schmitt (@Eric_Schmitt) March 7, 2025
KFVS 12 reports:
Bailey calls the $24 billion judgement against the Chinese Communist Party “historic.”
The state sued China nearly five years ago, the one remaining count in the suit accused China of hoarding masks and other PPE.
Judge Stephen Limbaugh ruled Missouri suffered direct harm from lost tax revenue and heightened expenditures caused by the hoarding.
Bailey says the judgment is six times more than the previous largest judgment in state history.
Read the full judgment HERE.
