A U.S. District judge has awarded the state of Missouri a victory in its lawsuit against China and the Chinese Communist Party, as well as other organizations like the Wuhan Institute of Virology. Initially thrown out in 2022 by a judge, the lawsuit removed language blaming China for the release of the COVID-19 virus. It was allowed to proceed by only focusing on China withholding PPE materials. On Friday, Judge Stephen Limbaugh ruled that Missouri had proved China’s liability and responsibility to damage caused during the pandemic.
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey intends to fully collect the $24 billion awarded to the state. Specifically through seizing Chinese assets within the United States.
Hey China,
— Attorney General Andrew Bailey (@AGAndrewBailey) March 7, 2025
You owe Missouri $24 BILLION.
I just won a judgment in court.
Pay up — or we start seizing assets and farmland.
The assets and farmland being seized do not have to be within the state of Missouri, according to Bailey. The original lawsuit was filed by Bailey’s predecessor, Eric Schmitt, but Bailey has continued to pursue victory fervently. He called upon other states and President Trump to help hold China accountable for the damages.
Throughout the lawsuit, China has refused to acknowledge legitimacy or participate in the proceedings. China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated that actions taken during the pandemic are not subject to the jurisdiction of the American court system. There has been no representative of any defendant organizations present at the hearings.
“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,” said Bailey.
The big question surrounding the ruling is: does an American court have the jurisdiction to award an American state victory in a dispute against a foreign nation? In most international situations, neutral international organizations will mediate issues.
While it seems like Missouri intends to collect Chinese assets that are within the United States, it remains to be seen if China will pursue any recourse to retain those assets. Missouri’s ability to collect will also depend on cooperation with other states and likely the federal government. This is simply because there is not $24 billion worth of assets and farmland within the Show Me State.
Elevating this to being the whole of the United States collecting is the only way to get the full amount. Consequently, the federal government getting involved and seizing Chinese assets could impact the already tumultuous relationship between the two nations. President Trump has been talking up imposing tariffs on multiple countries, including China, to which China has responded by threatening tariffs of their own. If Trump were to aid in seizing Chinese owned farmland or industries within the US, it would likely add to the tension.
