US national debt exceeds US$40 trillion for first time

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.