China Increased US Treasury Investments as Trade War Escalated

Chinese purchases of U.S. Treasuries rose in February, when the Trump Administration enacted a 10% tariff on any imports coming from the Asian country. According to the Treasury International Capital (TIC) reporting system, China increased its U.S. debt holdings to $784.3 billion, up from $760.8 billion. Japan, another country heavily affected by these tariff measures, also increased its U.S. Treasury holdings during the same period. Lou Brien, market strategist at DRW, explained that this could be an act of self-preservation: “In particular, Japan and China have a lot to lose if they were to decide to sell Treasuries and make it known that they’re selling Treasuries,” he stressed.