President Donald Trump said Sunday his administration was examining Treasury debt payments for possible fraud and suggested that the country's debt might not be that high - remarks that may unsettle investors who regard the U.S. as creditworthy and its debt as a safe asset.
Treasuries are held widely and used globally as financial reserves, as a benchmark for pricing and as collateral for borrowing. Below is a breakdown of U.S. debt ownership.
By owner and Holding size (U.S. dollars)
U.S. Federal Reserve system - $4.7 trillion
Social Security and other U.S. agencies - $2.4 trillion
Foreign investors - $8.7 trillion
U.S. investors and other U.S. holders - $19.7 trillion
By foreign investor: (Country/Region/City) and 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
