This archive report was first published on 21 April 2020.
As the world struggles to recover from the devastating effects of Covid-19, several countries are now taking a closer look at China's role in the pandemic's spread. The country's official figures of under 4,000 cases have been met with skepticism, with many accusing China of covering up the true extent of the outbreak.
Germany has threatened to sue China for up to $162 billion in compensation, while a suburban New York County has filed a lawsuit against the Chinese government and the World Health Organization (WHO) for allegedly conspiring to escalate the pandemic.
Experts have suggested that China should be held accountable for the economic losses suffered by countries, particularly in Africa. In Kenya, the tourism and agriculture sectors have been severely impacted, with many businesses forced to close or switch to remote work.
In the United States, over 25 million people have lost their jobs and applied for unemployment benefits. The state of Missouri is leading the charge, with Attorney General Eric Schmitt filing a lawsuit against China for causing severe economic consequences in the state.
