Key Highlights
- While direct military conflict remains unlikely, a hypothetical scenario in which these nations coordinate a mass sell-off of US Treasury securities could inflict severe damage on the American economy, potentially running into trillions of dollars.
- This article examines how such a move could work, based on current US debt levels and foreign holdings, and explores the broader consequences for global financial stability.
- It also draws a historical parallel to caution against escalatory policymaking under President Donald Trump. The Scale of US National Debt in 2026As of January 9, 2026, US gross national debt stands at approximately $38.43 trillion.
- This includes around $30.80 trillion in debt held by the public and $7.63 trillion in intragovernmental holdings. The pace of borrowing has accelerated sharply.
- Over the past year alone, total debt has increased by roughly $2.25 trillion, equivalent to an average rise of more than $8 billion per day.
