U.S. Debt Overview
The U.S. government has nearly $36 trillion in debt, with its bonds considered foundational to the global financial system.
Presidential Remarks
On Sunday, President Donald Trump stated that his administration is investigating Treasury debt payments for potential fraud, and he hinted that the country’s debt might not be as high as reported. Such comments could cause concern among investors who consider U.S. debt a safe asset.
Treasuries: Global Role
U.S. Treasuries are widely held and serve various functions globally, including:
– Financial Reserves
– Pricing Benchmarks
– Collateral for Borrowing
Breakdown of U.S. Debt Ownership
By Owner:
| Owner | Holding Size (U.S. dollars) |
|---|---|
| U.S. Federal Reserve | $4.7 trillion |
| Social Security and | $2.4 trillion |
| Other U.S. agencies | |
| Foreign investors | $8.7 trillion |
| U.S. investors and | $19.7 trillion |
| Other U.S. holders |
By Foreign Investor:
| Country/Region/City | Holding Size (U.S. dollars) |
|---|---|
| Japan | $1,099 billion |
| China | $768.6 billion |
| Britain | $765.6 billion |
| Luxembourg | $424.5 billion |
| Cayman Islands | $397 billion |
| Canada | $374.4 billion |
| Belgium | $361.3 billion |
| Ireland | $338.1 billion |
| France | $332.5 billion |
| Switzerland | $300.6 billion |
| Taiwan | $286.9 billion |
| Singapore | $257.7 billion |
| Hong Kong | $255.7 billion |
| India | $234 billion |
| Brazil | $229 billion |
| Norway | $159 billion |
| Saudi Arabia | $135.6 billion |
| South Korea | $127.8 billion |
| Mexico | $100.8 billion |
| Germany | $97.7 billion |
| Rest of World | $1,589 billion |
Monthly Foreign Ownership Data
The U.S. Treasury compiles foreign ownership data monthly, depending mostly on U.S.-based custodians. Because securities held in custody accounts might not be attributed to actual owners, the data may not accurately reflect individual country ownership of Treasuries.
Current Total U.S. Debt: $35.5 trillion, continually on the rise.
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