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Mohamed El-Erian Sounds Alarm As China's US Treasury Share Hits 15-Year Low At 7%
Yahoo Finance· 2026-02-18 12:31
Core Viewpoint - Renowned economist Mohamed El-Erian indicates a significant structural shift in global finance as China's share of the U.S. Treasury market has dropped to a 15-year low, raising concerns about future demand for American debt [1]. Group 1: China's Holdings of U.S. Treasuries - China's holdings of U.S. Treasuries now account for only 7% of the total market share, a dramatic decline from the 28% peak recorded 15 years ago [2]. - The total value of China's U.S. Treasury holdings has decreased to approximately $682.6 billion, marking the lowest level since 2008 [2][3]. Group 2: Broader Economic Context - The decline in China's Treasury holdings is exacerbated by the steady issuance of new securities by the U.S. government, further reducing China's share of total U.S. Treasury holdings [3]. - This retreat aligns with China's broader strategy to decrease reliance on the U.S. dollar amid increasing geopolitical tensions [6]. Group 3: Shift in Investment Strategy - As the U.S. national debt approaches $39 trillion, Beijing has advised domestic banks to limit exposure to Treasury securities and instead focus on gold and other hard assets [6]. - China's gold reserves have increased for 15 consecutive months, reaching a record of 2,308 tonnes [6].