Lawsuit Against China. Senator Eric Schmitt Taking Back Missouri’s Farmlands
Missouri Senator Eric Schmitt has sued China, winning a massive $24 billion judgment, and now moving to seize Chinese-owned farmland in Missouri.
The lawsuit started in China’s role during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Lawsuit: Why and When It Started
In April 2020, when Eric Schmitt was Missouri’s Attorney General, he filed a civil lawsuit against China, accusing the Chinese government and its agencies of mishandling the COVID-19 outbreak.
The lawsuit claimed China hid critical information about the virus’s origins and hoarded personal protective equipment (PPE), causing widespread harm to Missourians.
Schmitt argued that China’s actions led to economic devastation, costing Missouri over $122 million in extra PPE expenses and $8 billion in lost tax revenue.
“This is a landmark victory for Missouri and the United States in the fight to hold China accountable for unleashing COVID-19 on the world,” said current Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey, who continued the case after Schmitt’s election to the U.S. Senate in 2022.
The lawsuit faced challenges early on. In July 2022, a federal judge dismissed it, citing the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA), which protects foreign nations from U.S. lawsuits.
However, in January 2024, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit ruled that China’s PPE hoarding fell under an FSIA exception for commercial activity, allowing the case to proceed.
The Historic Win: $24 Billion Judgment
On March 7, 2025, U.S. District Court Judge Stephen Limbaugh Jr. awarded Missouri a $24 billion default judgment after China refused to appear in court.
The judge ruled that China’s actions, including misleading the world about COVID-19’s dangers, directly harmed Missouri’s citizens and economy. This judgment is the largest in Missouri’s history, six times bigger than any previous award.
“China’s campaign to hoard the global supply of PPE was performed in conjunction with its repeated misrepresentations on the existence, and then scope and human-to-human transmissibility of, the pandemic virus,” Judge Limbaugh wrote in his ruling.
Seizing Chinese-Owned Farmland: How and Where
To collect the $24 billion, Missouri is now targeting Chinese-owned assets, including farmland within the state.
Missouri Attorney General Bailey has vowed to “collect every penny” by seizing these properties under the FSIA, which allows asset seizures in cases involving commercial activities that harm the U.S.
The process involves identifying Chinese government-owned assets, obtaining court orders, and potentially working with the Trump administration to execute the seizures.
As of 2021, Chinese entities owned about 42,596 acres of Missouri farmland, primarily used for corporate hog farms in northern Missouri.
This is about 0.43% of the state’s 27.5 million acres of agricultural land, making China the largest foreign owner of Missouri farmland, followed by Canada which owns 18,000 acres of farmland.
The exact locations of the farmland targeted for seizure have not been publicly detailed, but the focus is on properties owned by Chinese entities, particularly those tied to the Chinese government or its agencies.
Why This Matters: National Security and Food Supply
The seizure of Chinese-owned farmland has raised concerns about national security and the U.S. food supply.
Chinese ownership of American farmland, especially near military bases, has sparked fears of foreign influence over critical infrastructure.
Nationally, Chinese interests own about 384,000 acres of U.S. farmland, a small but growing portion of the 40.8 million acres held by foreign entities.
During his 2024 presidential campaign, President Donald Trump called for a complete ban on Chinese nationals buying U.S. farmland, a stance that aligns with Missouri’s actions.
The state’s move could set a precedent for other states to pursue similar legal actions against foreign powers for pandemic-related damages.
Tucker Carlson, a podcaster and commentator, praised Schmitt’s efforts, highlighting the importance of protecting American interests. “Eric Schmitt is taking a stand against China’s overreach, and it’s about time someone did,” Carlson said on a 2022 broadcast, referencing Schmitt’s tough stance on foreign influence.
Chinese-Owned Farms and Food Brands in the U.S.
The majority of Chinese-owned farmland in Missouri is linked to WH Group, a Hong Kong-based company that acquired Smithfield Foods in 2013 for $4.7 billion.
Smithfield, the largest pork producer in the U.S., operates hog farms and processing facilities in Missouri and other states. The company produces popular pork brands sold across the U.S., including:
- Smithfield: Known for bacon, ham, and sausages.
- Farmland: Offers a range of pork products like ribs and pork chops.
- Cook’s: Famous for hams and other smoked meats.
- Eckrich: Specializes in sausages and deli meats.
These brands are household names, but many consumers may not realize they are now under Chinese ownership through WH Group.
The acquisition raised concerns about foreign control over America’s food supply, especially pork, a staple in the U.S. diet.
Challenges and China’s Response
China has strongly rejected the $24 billion judgment, calling it “frivolous” and without “basis in fact, law, or international precedent.” Chinese embassy spokesman Liu Pengyu warned of “reciprocal countermeasures” if Missouri proceeds with asset seizures, potentially escalating U.S.-China tensions.
Legal experts note that seizing Chinese assets is complex due to FSIA protections, which grant broad immunity to foreign government properties unless directly tied to the commercial activity in question, like PPE hoarding.
Despite these hurdles, Missouri’s Attorney General remains determined. “We are headed back to court to pursue remedies,” Bailey said, emphasizing his commitment to holding China accountable.
Schmitt’s Role and Political Impact
Eric Schmitt, now a U.S. Senator, has been a vocal critic of Chinese influence.
His lawsuit against China bolstered his reputation as a tough-on-China politician, though it drew criticism during his 2022 Senate campaign.
Opponents accused him of supporting Chinese land ownership because he voted for a 2013 bill that allowed foreign businesses to own up to 1% of Missouri’s agricultural land.
Schmitt’s supporters, however, argue that the bill strengthened oversight by requiring the Missouri Department of Agriculture to approve such sales, a safeguard that didn’t exist before.
“Senator Schmitt has been a strong voice for our jobs, our businesses, and our national security, especially in protecting against China’s aggression,” wrote Missouri farmers Casey Guernsey and Bill Reiboldt in a 2022 opinion piece.
What’s Next?
Missouri’s efforts to seize Chinese-owned farmland are ongoing, with potential legal battles and diplomatic fallout on the horizon.
The case could inspire other states to pursue similar lawsuits, reshaping how the U.S. addresses foreign ownership of critical assets like farmland.
For now, Schmitt’s victory stands as a bold statement against foreign misconduct, with implications for national security, food production, and international relations.
This historic lawsuit and land seizure effort highlight the growing push to protect the American people’s interests.
Visit ers.usda for more on China and farmland ownership
Watch the Tucker Carlson Podcast with Senator Schmitt discussing Chinese ownership of U.S. farmlands
Leave a Reply