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America’s soaring debt burden dominates global bond markets as investors demand higher yields

Biztoc.com notes that on Aug 18, 2026 the U.S. Treasury announced a $1.2 trillion increase in outstanding debt, pushing the debt‑to‑GDP ratio above 130 %. The move forced yields on 10‑year Treasuries to rise to 4.3 %, tightening financing for emerging‑market governments that collectively owe $2.5 trillion to the U.S., risking defaults that could cascade through the $30 trillion global bond market.