U.S.' growing debt becomes a political and economic 'hot potato'

Cartoon by Tan Xiguang

The U.S.' total public debt exceeded $37 trillion as of Aug. 11, 2025, according to data issued by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

In January 2023, the U.S. hit its debt ceiling of $31.4 trillion. With its chronic debt addiction, Washington has seen its interest expense soar as its debt swells — topping $35 trillion in July 2024 and $36 trillion in November the same year.

America's ever-growing debt has become a political and economic "hot potato." The unchecked explosion of U.S. debt is not only undermining its long-term growth potential but also dragging down the global economy.