Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has won a major legal battle against China — securing a $24 billion judgment over allegations that the Chinese Communist Party hoarded personal protective equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The ruling follows Missouri’s lawsuit against China — which accused the country of obstructing the supply chain for critical medical equipment. The state claimed that China restricted exports — nationalized PPE production facilities and drove up prices — leaving Missouri and other states scrambling to secure protective gear for frontline workers.
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. — found that Missouri provided “an abundance of uncontroverted evidence” proving that China’s actions worsened the pandemic’s impact. The court ruled that China violated anti-monopoly laws — causing billions in damages to Missouri’s economy.
Missouri reported that it spent over $122 million more on PPE than it would have if China had not controlled supply lines. Additionally — the state estimated that it lost $8 billion in tax revenue due to the economic fallout of the pandemic.
$24 Billion DOLLARS, not Yaun. https://t.co/nDbj4sMRHe
— Attorney General Andrew Bailey (@AGAndrewBailey) March 8, 2025
Attorney General Bailey has pledged to enforce the judgment — saying that if China refuses to pay — Missouri will move to seize Chinese-owned assets within the state — including farmland. China did not appear in court to defend itself against the accusations.
Missouri’s lawsuit is the first of its kind — as no other state has taken similar legal action against China over COVID-19. The ruling could lead to further legal challenges against China from other U.S. states seeking accountability for the pandemic’s economic damage.
