The Fiscal Cliff for Dummies

[Jimbeaux]

Art0ir said:

Jimbeaux said:

Art0ir said:

Jimbeaux said:

Art0ir said:

Jimbeaux said:

Art0ir said:

Jimbeaux said:

Wills2 said:

IIRC the Japanese owe themselves the majority of the money.

TBH, the U.S. "owes themselves" the majority of our debt as well. They hold the vast majority of debt, not a foreign government.

Really? I thought the fed only had around $2 Trillion worth of Treasuries and a small amount of Agency debt?



46% was the amount of foreign held debt last I checked.

No, out of the 16 Trillion, below is the breakdown:

http://useconomy.about.com/od/monetarypolicy/f/Who...

"The breakout of foreign-held debt shows that China was the largest holder, at $1.161 trillion (as of October 2012, most recent data). Japan came in second, at $1.134 trillion. The oil exporting countries have been increasing their holdings, and have edged up to become #3 at at $266 billion. The Caribbean Banking Centers have also increased their holdings in recent years, and are now fourth, holding $258 billion. The Bureau of International Settlements has stated that the Caribbean centers, Luxembourg (at $139 billion) and Belgium ($133 billion) are probably fronts for oil-exporting countries and hedge funds that don't want to reveal their positions. Brazil is the fifth largest holder, at $255 billion. The next largest holders are Taiwan, Switzerland, Russia, Hong Kong and the United Kingdom, holding between $117-$201 billion each. (Source: Foreign Holding of U.S. Treasury Securities, December 17 2012; U.S. Treasury report ”Petrodollars and Global Imbalances”, February 2006)"

My figure was conservative, from your link

USEconomy said:

Foreign governments and investors hold 48% of the nation's public debt.

I see those figures as just over 4 Trillion in total foreign ownership or just over 25%. Am I missing something?

Just under 5 Trillion according to the Treasury

I wonder where the other 3 is accounted for. I've seen that 48+/- figure a number of times so it's not a typo. Do the Treasury figures only list foreign government owned debt?

Not sure because 16T is the total amount. Smoke and mirrors?

Must dig further..

Be careful, you might find something.