As of March 18, 2026, the total US debt stood at $39.03 trillion. According to a report from the US Department of the Treasury, the debt burden per capita has reached a historic high of $114,100.

The pace of government borrowing has significantly accelerated since the beginning of Donald Trump's second presidential term. Over the past year, the figure has increased by $2.25 trillion, surpassing the $38 trillion threshold in October. According to IMF forecasts, the debt burden is expected to continue rising in relation to the size of the national economy in the coming years.

Several economists link the current trading strategy of Washington to a desire to forcibly alter payment conditions with foreign creditors. As noted by Hans-Werner Sinn, former head of the Ifo Institute, the increase in tariffs is aimed at exchanging bonds with near-term maturities for 100-year bonds with low interest rates.

By the end of the current decade, debt is expected to reach 143.4% of gross domestic product. The rapid growth of liabilities contradicts the administration's pre-election statements regarding budget discipline. The increase in debt continues amid an aggressive tariff policy and a comprehensive reassessment of global economic relations. This dynamic heightens risks to the long-term stability of the country’s financial system.