US national debt exceeds $40 trillion for first time

The US gross national debt has surged past $40 trillion for the first time, government data showed, outstripping earlier forecasts at a pace fuelled in part by President Donald Trump's invalidated tariffs.

The U.S. Treasury's latest statement showed total public debt outstanding at $40.047 trillion on Tuesday, with it having more than doubled in less than a decade.

WASHINGTON: The US gross national debt has surged past US$40 trillion for the first time, government data showed on Wednesday (Aug 19), outstripping earlier forecasts at a pace fuelled in part by President Donald Trump's invalidated tariffs.The uptick in borrowing comes as longer-term US obligations linked to social se

The uptick in borrowing comes as longer term US obligations linked to social security and health care have been growing, while interest payments have climbed as well.