The US national debt reaches $39 trillions, raising long-term concerns; analysts warn of increasing risks due to unsustainable fiscal trajectory

BlockBeats reported that as of July 5, the size of US Treasury debt has risen to about $39 trillion. The scale of public debt is equivalent to the total US GDP, with annual interest payments reaching about $1 trillion, surpassing the national defense budget. The US Treasury system originally dates back to 1790, when Alexander Hamilton promoted a debt consolidation reform, with the federal government assuming each state's wartime debt and promising full repayment. This established the US credit system and cemented the global standing of the United States dollar and US Treasury bonds.

Today, US Treasury bonds are regarded as one of the core assets of the global financial system. They support the United States dollar's status as a reserve currency and are widely held by central banks and financial institutions worldwide. However, as debt continues to grow, concerns about long-term sustainability are increasing in the markets.

According to calculations by the Wharton Budget Model (PWBM) at the University of Pennsylvania, when the debt-to-GDP ratio exceeds about 210%, the fiscal system may face unsustainable risks. Currently, the US ratio stands at about 100%, and the US Congressional Budget Office estimates that it could rise to 175% by 2056.

Analysts believe that amid increasing healthcare expenditures and a persistently expanding fiscal deficit, the risk threshold may arrive earlier, and the long-term stability of the debt structure is facing stricter tests from markets and policy makers.