US federal deficit: who owns America’s debt?

China has defended its investment in US Treasury bonds, amid concern that its position as the biggest investor in US debt may become political as well as economic. Treasury bonds are how the US – and all governments for that matter – borrow money: they issue government securities, which other countries and institutions buy. So, the US national debt is owned predominantly by Asian economies. The US Treasury releases the figures on this – here they are in a more useable form.

Last year, China expressed concern over the security of its vast United States treasury holdings and premier Wen Jiabao has urged Washington to safeguard their value. Take a look, download the spreadsheet and let us know what you can do with the data.