The Missouri state in the United States sued China’s leaders on Tuesday, seeking redress for damage from the coronavirus in what it described as deliberate deception and insufficient action to stop the current pandemic.
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“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,” Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt said in this action.
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“They must be held accountable for their actions,” said Schmitt, quoted by AFP.
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The first such state lawsuit comes amid calls in the US Congress to punish China and a campaign by President Donald Trump to focus on Beijing’s role, amid criticism of his own handling of the crisis.
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Missouri, governed by the Republican Party, filed a lawsuit in federal court claiming an unspecified amount of damages and a court order on China’s continuing injurious actions, which allegedly include the hoarding of protective equipment.
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