Missouri AG warns China that other states can help collect $24 billion judgment

Missouri GOP Attorney General Andrew Bailey this week warned China that other states can help him seize assets in the United States, as part of his effort to secure a recent $24 billion judgment. 

A federal judge last week ruled in favor of Missouri, after Missouri GOP Sen. Eric Schmidt sued China for "unleashing Covid on the world." Bailey promised after the ruling to make sure that China pays for the crimes.

Bailey told the Chinese Communist Party that if it does not pay the amount that's owed, then Missouri would seize assets like U.S. farmland, according to the Associated Press.

“Those assets are not required to be within Missouri and can be located anywhere in the United States,” Bailey said on Monday. “While we have not partnered with other states on this particular suit, we encourage others to work to hold the Chinese government accountable and seek justice for victims.”

China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said this week that it does not recognize the judge's recent ruling, and called the lawsuit "absurd" when it was initially filed in 2020.

“We ask the United States to return to rationality and correct its mistakes,” the ministry said. “China has the right to take reciprocal countermeasures in accordance with international law to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.”

China did not specify what actions would be taken, but those actions could include imposing sanctions on Missouri companies doing business in China.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.