Breaking: U.S. Holds Largest Share of China‘sโข $2.2 Trillion in Global Loans
Jakarta – New โdata reveals the United States is the largest recipient of loansโ from China, a โshiftโ indicating Beijing is increasingly financing projects in high-income nationsโฃ ratherโค than developing โคcountries.
A report published by AidData,a research laboratory at the University of William & Mary,details China’s lending and grant activity totaling $2.2 trillion (approximately IDR 36,740 trillion, using an exchange rate of IDR 16,700) extended to 200 countries between 2000 and 2023.
While previously โคrecognized for its lending through the Belt and Road Initiative to developing nations, China is now directing funds toward strategic infrastructure and high-tech โsupply chains – including semiconductors,โค artificial intelligence, and โclean energy โข- in more developed economies.
AidData โคestimates the total size ofโค China’s loan portfolio is two to four timesโ largerโ than previously โunderstood, solidifying its position as the world’s largest debt provider.
The report indicatesโ that โover three-quarters of China’s foreign lending now supports projects in upper-middle- and high-income countries. Chinese creditors โhave provided โcredit facilities โคtoโ major Fortune โฃ500โ companies, including Amazon, AT&T, Verizon,โ tesla, General Motors, Ford, Boeing, and Disney, and โฃhave financed acquisitions of high-techโฃ companies.
Loans to low- and lower-middle-income countries have decreased from 88% in 2000 to 12% in 2023, with aโ corresponding reduction in funding for infrastructure projects within the “Global South” underโข the Belt and Road Initiative.
Conversely, support for middle- and high-income countriesโ has risen from 24% โคin 2000 to 76% in 2023. The United Kingdom has received โฃ$60โ billion,while the European Union has receivedโค $161โฃ billion.
Responding to a request for comment, China’s Foreign Ministry stated its overseas investments and financing adhere to internationalโ standards.โ
“This loan complies with international practices,โค market principles and debt โsustainability principles,” the Ministry said, as quoted by Reuters on November 23,โ 2025.
