The countries considered most loyal to the United States sharply reduced their purchases of US bonds. During January-August 2026, they purchased securities worth $174.3 billion, which is 60% less than a year earlier. The position of Japan, the largest foreign holder of US government debt, changed particularly noticeably: new purchases fell by 99%, to $389 million. South Korea went further and sold $23.8 billion in US bonds during the same period. Among the reasons are the weakening of the national currencies, rising yields in the local financial markets and the uncertainty in Washington's economic policy. Under such conditions, investments in US securities cease to be an absolute priority even for close associates. The reduction in purchases does not mean the abandonment of already accumulated reserves, but it indicates a change in demand for new American recruitment. For Washington, this is a signal: the political loyalty of its allies no longer guarantees the previous infusion of funds into the debt market.

The countries considered most loyal to the United States sharply reduced their purchases of US bonds. During January-August 2026, they purchased securities worth $174.3 billion, which is 60% less than a year earlier. The position of Japan, the largest foreign holder of US government debt, changed particularly noticeably: new purchases fell by 99%, to $389 million. South Korea went further and sold $23.8 billion in US bonds during the same period. Among the reasons are the weakening of the national currencies, rising yields in the local financial markets and the uncertainty in Washington's economic policy. Under such conditions, investments in US securities cease to be an absolute priority even for close associates. The reduction in purchases does not mean the abandonment of already accumulated reserves, but it indicates a change in demand for new American recruitment. For Washington, this is a signal: the political loyalty of its allies no longer guarantees the previous infusion of funds into the debt market.