12 Countries America Owes The Most Money

12 Countries America Owes The Most Money (Including Ourselves)

Like many nations, the United States is no stranger to national debt. This intricate financial web involves numerous countries and complex economic factors—a fascinating tapestry that encompasses America.

Taiwan – $234.6B

12 Countries America Owes The Most Money (Including Ourselves)
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Taiwan holds a significant portion of America’s foreign debt, amounting to $234.6 billion. This makes Taiwan one of the top foreign creditors to the United States, reflecting the robust economic ties between the two nations.

Despite the political complexities in the region, the financial relationship between the U.S. and Taiwan has remained strong, with American bonds providing a solid investment opportunity for Taiwan’s substantial reserves.

Ireland – $253.4B

12 Countries America Owes The Most Money (Including Ourselves)
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Ireland, a small island nation with just under 5 million population, holds significant U.S. debt. The United States owes Ireland a staggering $253.4 billion.

This figure is surprising given the size and economy of Ireland. The strong economic ties between the U.S. and Ireland, including robust bilateral trade and U.S. corporation subsidiaries set up in Ireland, partially explain this prominent figure.

Canada – $254.1B

12 Countries America Owes The Most Money (Including Ourselves)
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Much like Ireland, Canada’s economy relies heavily on trade with the U.S., and as such, has made significant investments in American debt to protect its financial interests. This has allowed Canada to remain relatively stable during economic difficulty or uncertainty while profiting from the financial markets.

As of 2019, Canada holds over $254 billion in American debt. 

Italy – $262.1B 

12 Countries America Owes The Most Money (Including Ourselves)
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Italy, the third-largest economy in the Eurozone, is a major foreign creditor of the United States, owning around $262.1 billion in U.S. debt as of 2020. Despite its economic challenges, Italy’s substantial investments in U.S. Treasury securities showcase confidence in the stability of the American economy.

The Cayman Islands – $285B

12 Countries America Owes The Most Money (Including Ourselves)
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The Cayman Islands, a well-known Caribbean tax haven, have over $285 billion invested in U.S. debt as of 2020. In recent years, the islands have become increasingly popular with foreign investors seeking to diversify their holdings and benefit from the relative strength of the American economy.

Furthermore, The Caymans’ zero percent corporate income tax rate makes it an attractive destination for multinational corporations.

Switzerland – $290.5B

12 Countries America Owes The Most Money (Including Ourselves)
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Switzerland, globally recognized for its robust banking system, holds a significant portion of the United States‘ international debt. As of the latest data, the Swiss hold a staggering $290.5 billion in U.S. Treasury securities.
This substantial amount reflects Switzerland’s confidence in American financial instruments, showcasing the interconnected nature of global finance.

Luxembourg – $318.2B

12 Countries America Owes The Most Money (Including Ourselves)
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Among the top five foreign holders of U.S. debt, Luxembourg has a high GDP per capita of $133,590 as of 2021. This is due to its role as a tax haven, attracting investors to deposit capital in local holding companies.

A significant portion of this wealth is strategically invested in various securities, including U.S. Treasuries. As of January 2023, Luxembourg has an impressive $318 billion in U.S. Treasuries, accounting for 4.29% of total foreign holdings.

Belgium – $331.1B

12 Countries America Owes The Most Money (Including Ourselves)
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Belgium’s significant holdings of U.S. Treasuries can be partially attributed to the financial activities of Euroclear, a prominent Brussels-based company specializing in securities transaction settlements. Serving over 2,000 clients, Euroclear manages substantial assets.

As of January 2023, Belgium held an impressive $331 billion in U.S. debt, accounting for approximately 4.47% of total foreign debt.

United Kingdom – $668.3B

12 Countries America Owes The Most Money (Including Ourselves)
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Amidst economic uncertainty in the U.K., British investors have increased their U.S. debt holdings to $668 billion this year. After the coronavirus pandemic and Brexit, this move shows the U.K.’s determination to navigate turbulent times. The U.K. holds 9.02% of U.S. foreign debt, demonstrating its stake in the global financial landscape.

China – $859.4B

12 Countries America Owes The Most Money (Including Ourselves)
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China garners considerable attention as a holder of a substantial portion of the U.S. government’s debt. This fact shouldn’t be entirely surprising given its rapid economic expansion in recent decades. China ranks second, preceded only by Japan, among foreign nations holding U.S. debt, boasting $859 billion in Treasury holdings.

Japan – $1.1T

12 Countries America Owes The Most Money (Including Ourselves)
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As of January 2023, Japan has overtaken China to become the largest foreign holder of U.S. debt, with an astounding $1.1 trillion investment in Treasury securities. Japan’s low and negative yield market drives the appeal of holding U.S. debt. Currently, Japan has approximately 14.86% of all foreign-owned U.S. debt.

United States – $27 T

12 Countries America Owes The Most Money (Including Ourselves)
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The U.S. government is also one of the largest holders of its debt, with a staggering $27 trillion in Treasury notes and bonds as of January 2023. This represents approximately 58% of all debt held by the United States.
Most of this debt comes from investors who purchase securities on the private market, while government debt consists of those securities held by the U.S. Federal Reserve and other government entities.

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