Missouri’s effort to collect a $24.5 billion judgment against Chinese government entities over pandemic-era personal protective equipment (PPE) has entered a new phase after two defendants appeared in federal court to challenge the award.
The People’s Government of Hubei Province and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) filed a motion on Aug. 31 asking U.S. District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh Jr. to set aside the default judgment—which was entered after the defendants did not appear to contest the case—and dismiss the lawsuit. White & Case attorneys entered appearances for both defendants that day.
The move came after Missouri began the process of formally serving the March 2025 judgment, a required step before the state can ask the court for authorization to pursue eligible assets….