Judge Rules China Must Pay Missouri Billions Over Pandemic PPE Hoarding

China has been found liable for billions in damages after a Missouri court ruled that the country’s actions during the COVID-19 pandemic caused financial harm to the state. The decision grants Missouri a $24 billion judgment against the Chinese Communist Party — citing PPE shortages that resulted from China’s control over medical supply chains in this lawsuit.

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey brought the case against China — accusing it of hoarding PPE, limiting exports and seizing control of American-affiliated manufacturing facilities. The lawsuit — filed in 2020 — argued that China’s actions made it more difficult for Missouri to access essential protective equipment — leading to excessive spending and economic losses.

Judge Stephen Limbaugh, Jr., sided with Missouri — determining that the state provided significant evidence of financial harm. According to the court — Missouri spent more than $122 million extra on PPE and experienced an $8 billion decline in tax revenue due to supply shortages.

Bailey has pledged to enforce the ruling — stating that Missouri will seize Chinese-owned farmland and other assets within the state if necessary. China did not appear in court to challenge the lawsuit — making the judgment enforceable without opposition.

Missouri was the first and only state to take legal action against China over the pandemic’s economic impact. The ruling could pave the way for similar cases in other states seeking accountability for COVID-19-related financial losses.

The case previously saw an early victory in the Eighth Circuit Court — which upheld Missouri’s right to pursue damages against China. The latest decision reinforces that ruling — putting pressure on China to respond.