A Missouri court has ruled against the Chinese Communist Party — holding it liable for $24 billion in damages after the state accused China of hoarding personal protective equipment (PPE) at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Attorney General Andrew Bailey filed the lawsuit in 2020 — arguing that China’s interference in PPE production and exports caused widespread shortages. The suit accused China of nationalizing U.S.-affiliated factories and blocking access to critical medical supplies — forcing Missouri to pay significantly higher prices.
Hey China,
You owe Missouri $24 BILLION.
I just won a judgment in court.
Pay up — or we start seizing assets and farmland.
— Attorney General Andrew Bailey (@AGAndrewBailey) March 7, 2025
Judge Stephen Limbaugh — Jr. — ruled that China had engaged in anti-competitive practices that harmed Missouri’s economy. The court found that China’s control over PPE markets contributed to an $8 billion tax revenue loss for the state and an additional $122 million in PPE-related expenses.
The ruling follows an earlier decision by the Eighth Circuit — which had already handed Missouri a victory in its legal battle. With China refusing to appear in court — the judgment was issued by default.
$24 Billion DOLLARS, not Yaun. https://t.co/nDbj4sMRHe
— Attorney General Andrew Bailey (@AGAndrewBailey) March 8, 2025
Bailey has vowed to collect on the ruling — stating that Missouri will move to seize Chinese-owned assets within the state if necessary. The attorney general emphasized that the case is about accountability — calling it a “landmark victory” for both Missouri and the U.S.
Missouri remains the only state to file a lawsuit of this nature against China. With this ruling — other states may consider taking similar legal action to recover damages related to the pandemic.
