Part of US Domestic Political Developments
The Congressional Budget Office projected on February 19, 2026, that U.S. public debt will balloon to more than $56 trillion by 2036 as annual deficits continue to mount, signaling significant long-term fiscal challenges for the nation. This projection comes amidst a decelerating U.S. economy, with the Commerce Department revising Q4 2025 GDP growth down to 0.7% and The Conference Board's leading indicators forecasting further slowdown. Concurrently, China's economy faces prolonged deflation and weak demand, with official targets signaling slower growth, while the IMF advocates for a consumption-led shift.
The Congressional Budget Office projected on February 19, 2026, that U.S. public debt will balloon to more than $56 trillion by 2036.