NO SHIT.
U.S. Becomes the World's Largest Debtor Country
Los Angeles Times
https://www.latimes.com › archives › la-xpm-1986-06-...
Jun 24, 1986 — The United States became the world's largest debtor country in 1985, the first time America has slipped into the status of a net debtor since the early part of the century, the government confirmed today.
Simply stated, the numbers mean that foreigners now own more U.S. investments than Americans have in foreign investments.
The Commerce Department said the country’s international investment position was a negative $107.4 billion at the end of the year.
This marked a dramatic turnaround from the country’s position at the end of 1984, when the United States enjoyed a surplus on its investments of $4.4 billion. This was a revision from an earlier report that had put the 1984 surplus at $28.2 billion.
According to official government statistics going back to 1919, this situation has never occurred. But a private study cited by the government shows the United States was last a net debtor in 1914, when the debt was a much smaller $2.2 billion.
U.S. TURNS INTO DEBTOR NATION
The New York Times
https://www.nytimes.com › 1985/09/17 › business › us-...
Sep 17, 1985 — The United States has become a debtor nation for the first time since World War I, owing foreigners more than they owe it, a Commerce Department report indicated today.
The Commerce Department report on the country's international accounts also disclosed the largest quarterly deficit in the nation's merchandise trade on record, for the period from April through June, and the second-worst quarterly deficit ever in the broader measure of international transactions known as the current account, which includes trade.
Analysts said the figures were certain to heighten pressure in Congress to enact protectionist legislation to slow the inflow of imported goods. President Reagan has in recent days repeatedly reaffirmed his longstanding commitment to free trade and has threatened to veto protectionist bills. $39.5 Billion Rise in First Half The report showed that foreign investors - governments, industries and individuals - increased their assets in the United States by $39.5 billion in this year's first half and by $25.8 billion in the second quarter alone.
During the six months, such American investment abroad rose by only $3.2 billion. The resulting net gain of foreign investment of $36.3 billion suggests that foreign investments here wiped out the small, $28.2 billion surplus of American investment at the end of 1984. In other words, it appeared that by mid-1985 foreign ownership of American factories, real estate, stocks and bonds exceeded American ownership of foreign assets.
