The state of Missouri is suing the Chinese government for its mishandling of COVID-19.

According to news reports, Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt has filed a federal lawsuit in a U.S. court, seeking to hold China accountable for the COVID-19 pandemic. Missouri claims China did little to stop the spread of the virus and “lied to the world about the danger and contagious nature of COVID-19.”

Missouri is demanding economic compensation from China on the grounds that Missouri residents may have suffered tens of billions of dollars in economic damages.

At press time, the state of Mississippi is considering a similar lawsuit.

Legal experts predict the lawsuits face uphill battles as China is protected by sovereign immunity.

—Source: CNN.com