US judge fines China over $24 billion over Covid-19 pandemic

A US federal judge ruled on March 7 that China must be held accountable for covering up information and hoarding protective equipment in the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Judge Stephen Limbaugh of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri found the Chinese government liable for its actions in the early stages of Covid-19. In his ruling, Limbaugh said China “misled the world about the danger and scope of the Covid-19 pandemic,” and emphasized that China had acted monopolistically by hoarding personal protective equipment, The New York Times reported.

Mr. Limbaugh said these actions hampered the US response in the early stages of the pandemic, making it nearly impossible for health care facilities to procure adequate equipment to combat the virus. Judge Limbaugh decided to fine China more than $24 billion, which will be enforced by seizing Chinese assets in the US.

US medical staff resuscitate a Covid-19 patient in 2020

Judge Limbaugh issued the ruling in connection with a lawsuit filed by the Missouri Attorney General’s Office in April 2020, accusing China of concealing information about the existence and spread of the virus, in addition to cutting off the supply of personal protective equipment.

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey announced the March 7 ruling that holds China accountable for its actions early in the pandemic. Bailey added that he would enforce the more than $24 billion fine by seizing Chinese-owned assets, including farmland in Missouri.

Chinese Embassy spokesman Liu Pengyu said the Chinese government will not recognize Limbaugh’s ruling. “The so-called lawsuit has no basis in fact, law or international precedent. If China’s interests are harmed, we will take corresponding countermeasures in accordance with international law,” Liu Pengyu said.

According to The New York Times , foreign governments can be sued in American courts, although the legal process is relatively limited by the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act. Judge Limbaugh initially dismissed the case, but the appeals court returned the case to Mr. Limbaugh.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/tham-phan-my-phat-trung-quoc-hon-24-ti-usd-lien-quan-dai-dich-covid-19-185250308180550503.htm