JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway announced that the country of China has filed a lawsuit against her, the Show Me State, U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt, and former Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey.
China is demanding the defendants “issue public apologies on American media or internet platforms” along with demanding joint compensation totaling to more than $50 billion. The filing marks an unusual legal move, as direct litigation by a foreign government against U.S. state officials is rare and raises questions about jurisdiction and enforceability.
This follows the Missouri Attorney General’s Office securing a $24 billion judgment against the People’s Republic of China for its part in the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically for “thwarting the production, purchasing, import, and export of medical equipment, such as personal protective equipment (PPE).”
Missouri first filed its lawsuit in 2020, alleging negligence, public nuisance, and other harms tied to the global spread of the virus. While the judgment was entered, legal experts have noted that collecting such an award remains uncertain because foreign sovereigns typically fall under protections in the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act. China has consistently rejected the legitimacy of U.S. lawsuits related to the pandemic, and Missouri officials say they plan to defend against the newly filed claims.