Global Investors Push US Debt Holdings to Record $9.3 Trillion

Washington D.C., Friday, 16 January 2026.
Global confidence in U.S. financial stability has staged a remarkable recovery following the historic 43-day government shutdown. New data reveals that foreign holdings of U.S. Treasuries surged to an unprecedented $9.355 trillion in November 2025. This influx contributed to a robust $212 billion net capital inflow, signaling that international investors are largely looking past Washington’s recent fiscal volatility. However, a distinct divergence in strategy has emerged among major economic powers. While Japan, the United Kingdom, and Canada aggressively increased their portfolios—with Japan cementing its status as the largest holder at $1.2 trillion—China continued its strategic retreat. Beijing reduced its exposure to $682.6 billion, the lowest level since 2008, highlighting a deepening geopolitical rift in financial markets even as broader global sentiment rallies around the U.S. dollar.