The US Treasury Department said China cut its holdings in US government bonds to $981 billion in May. Observers say Chinese holdings in US government debt fell below $1 trillion for the first time since 2010. Compared to May last year, China has reduced the volume of US government bonds by 9%, or $100 billion.
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Despite the reduction of China’s investments in US government debt, the total amount of US government bonds held by foreign countries increased by 4% compared to May last year – from $7.14 trillion to $7.42 trillion. From April to May of this year, a slight decrease was recorded – by 0.4%. If China has reduced its investments in US government bonds by $23 billion since April, then countries such as India, Switzerland and the UK have increased their investments by $4 billion, to $204 billion; by $23 billion, up to $294 billion; and by $22 billion, to $634 billion, respectively. Japan remains the largest holder of US government debt at $1.212 trillion. China continues to be in second place with $981 billion, while the UK is in third with $634 billion.
