A Missouri court has ordered China to pay $24 billion for allegedly hoarding PPE during the Covid-19 pandemic and misleading the public about the virus. Attorney General Andrew Bailey lauded the ruling as a landmark victory, citing significant economic harm to the state due to these actions. The state plans to enforce the judgment through potential seizure of Chinese assets.

A Missouri district judge has ordered China to pay $24 billion for hoarding personal protective equipment (PPE) during the Covid-19 pandemic, according to reports by the New York Post. The ruling, delivered by Judge Stephen Limbaugh, Jr., found that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) manipulated crucial information regarding the virus’s existence, severity, and transmissibility while stockpiling PPE.

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey characterized this ruling as a significant step toward holding China accountable. He remarked that this judgment represents a landmark victory for Missouri and the nation regarding China’s role in the pandemic’s escalation.

The lawsuit, originally filed in 2020, targets the CCP, the Wuhan Institute of Virology, and various Chinese entities. It alleges that China’s actions hampered global PPE production and led to restrictions on imports and exports, exacerbating the crisis.

Judge Limbaugh agreed with Bailey’s assertions that China breached both state and federal anti-monopoly laws, causing considerable economic damage to Missouri. The judge noted that due to China’s hoarding practices, Missouri incurred more than $122 million in extra PPE costs and suffered over $8 billion in lost tax revenue.

Bailey criticized China’s absence in court, asserting that this non-participation would not absolve them of responsibility for the resulting social and economic turmoil. He declared his intention to enforce the hefty judgment, potentially through the seizure of Chinese-owned assets, including farmland in Missouri, to collect the claims. Together with the Trump administration, he expressed plans to pursue the identification and confiscation of these assets to recover damages.

In conclusion, the Missouri district court’s ruling against China for hoarding PPE during the Covid-19 pandemic reflects a significant legal stance on international accountability. The substantial financial judgment of $24 billion underscores the state’s claims of economic damage and public health impact stemming from China’s actions during the crisis. Attorney General Andrew Bailey expresses commitment to pursuing the recovery of damages through asset seizure, emphasizing the need for justice in light of perceived injustices related to the pandemic.

Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com

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