特朗普无法扭转美国政府债务增长势头

Core Viewpoint - The rapidly expanding federal government debt in the United States has become a significant concern for the economy, with the total surpassing $37 trillion as of August 11, raising questions about the pace and implications of this growth [1][13]. Summary by Sections Long-term Debt Trends - The U.S. federal government debt, officially termed "total outstanding public debt," includes both public and internal government debt, with the public debt portion representing approximately 80% of the total [2]. - Since the 1990s, the U.S. federal government debt has shown a continuous increase, with acceleration in growth rates, particularly during economic crises such as the subprime mortgage crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic [4]. Future Projections - If the current trend continues, the U.S. federal government debt could reach $57 trillion in the next decade, with the interval for adding $1 trillion potentially shortening significantly [5]. - The debt growth rate has unexpectedly slowed in 2025, primarily due to political and economic factors rather than effective fiscal management [6]. Factors Influencing Debt Growth - The debt ceiling has constrained bond issuance, leading to temporary measures that reduced the debt increase rate in early 2025 [7]. - The government has implemented spending restraint and personnel reductions to manage costs, but these measures have had minimal impact on overall spending [8][11]. - Increased tariff revenues have partially offset the debt gap, with significant growth in tariff income observed in 2025 [9][12]. Implications of Rising Debt - The increasing debt burden will lead to higher interest payments, potentially nearing $2 trillion annually if the debt exceeds $57 trillion [13]. - Public spending will be significantly constrained, with necessary cuts likely affecting social programs, infrastructure, and education [15]. - The U.S. credit rating faces ongoing risks of downgrades, which could lead to increased market volatility and affect economic stability [16]. - The Federal Reserve may face pressure to lower interest rates to manage debt servicing costs, potentially leading to a return of quantitative easing policies [15]. Global Impact - The rising U.S. debt has a dual effect on the global economy, causing short-term negative spillovers while potentially prompting reforms in global economic governance in the long term [18][19].