US state Missouri sues China over COVID-19 pandemic

Missouri's Attorney General Eric Schmitt announced the lawsuit on April 21.
Missouri's Attorney General Eric Schmitt announced the lawsuit on April 21. Photo credit: Facebook/ Eric Schmitt

The US state of Missouri is suing the Chinese Government for "not doing enough" to stop the spread of COVID-19 which originated in Wuhan in December 2019. 

Missouri's Attorney General Eric Schmitt announced the lawsuit on April 21 which alleges the Chinese Government, Chinese Communist Party, and other Chinese officials lied and covered up the extent of the danger posed by the virus.

"COVID-19 has done irreparable damage to countries across the globe, causing sickness, death, economic disruption, and human suffering," he said in a statement.

"In Missouri, the impact of the virus is very real - thousands have been infected and many have died, families have been separated from dying loved ones, small businesses are shuttering their doors, and those living paycheck to paycheck are struggling to put food on their table."

"The Chinese government lied to the world about the danger and contagious nature of COVID-19, silenced whistleblowers, and did little to stop the spread of the disease. They must be held accountable for their actions."

The lawsuit says between late December 2019 and January 23, 2020 China:

  • Denied the risk of human-to-human transmission. 
  • Silenced whistleblowers
  • Failed to contain the outbreak
  • Hoarded personal protective equipment

It says officials allowed New Year celebrations, travel, community potluck dinners and public gatherings to continue which increased the potential spread of the virus.

Schmitt is now suing the organisations for the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on their state.

CNN reported in Missouri over 6,100 people have had COVID-19 and at least 229 have died.

But the lawsuit isn't expected to have any impact as foreign states are immune from US Prosecution under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act.

Instead, some experts believe the Attorney General is using the lawsuit for personal political reasons.

"There's an old joke in American politics that in every state the AG stands for the Attorney General, but it also stands for Aspiring Governor," Stu Loeser, a New York-based media strategist, told BBC News.

Missouri Democratic party executive director, Lauren Gepford, told The Guardian she believed the lawsuit was a "stunt" because Schmitt is up for re-election this year.

But Missouri isn't the only state suing China over its coronavirus response, on Thursday Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch posted to her Twitter she was also planning to do it too.

"I am preparing to file a lawsuit against China on behalf of Mississippians," she said.

"Too many have suffered as a result of their dangerous and malicious cover-up of the coronavirus. Mississippians deserve justice and I will seek that in court."