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The lawsuit was initiated five years ago in 2020, under the leadership of then-Attorney General Eric Schmidt. Missouri's claim was rooted in the accusation that China obstructed the production, purchase, and export of vital medical supplies at a time when such resources were critically needed. This was not merely a case of negligence; Missouri argued that these actions resulted in substantial economic damage, including a loss of tax revenue and increased spending on emergency medical supplies. The court ultimately estimated the economic repercussions to exceed $8.16 billion, thus justifying the staggering $24 billion damage award.