eli5 If the U.S. is in so much debt, how do they remain one of the most powerful & influential countries in the world?

Question

I feel like the United States is always meddling in other countries affairs and yet still climbing further into debt. Kind of like someone giving you advice on a golf course who is terrible themself. Is it the military presence? Economic relationships?

In: Economics

Answer 1

Part of it is that the USA still generates tons of wealth, and other countries aren’t worried about its ability to pay back loans. Countries that are doing really poorly compared to the rest of the world have a harder time borrowing.