--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It doesn't worry me a bit that China and…" description: "\"It doesn't worry me a bit that China and Japan hold so much US debt. In a way, it seems foolish for them to do it because they get lower returns than t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b55/milton-friedman-616_bits_it-doesn-t-worry-me-a-bit-that-china-and_1428834.png" --- # It doesn't worry me a bit that China and Japan hold so… ![“It doesn't worry me a bit that China and Japan hold so much US debt. In a way, it seems foolish for them to do it because they get lower returns than they might elsewhere. But that is their business.” quote by Milton Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b55/milton-friedman-616_bits_it-doesn-t-worry-me-a-bit-that-china-and_1428834.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b55/milton-friedman-616_bits_it-doesn-t-worry-me-a-bit-that-china-and_1428834.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b55/milton-friedman-616_bits_it-doesn-t-worry-me-a-bit-that-china-and_1428834.png) > “It doesn't worry me a bit that China and Japan hold so much US debt. In a way, it seems foolish for them to do it because they get lower returns than they might elsewhere. But that is their business.” [Milton Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milton-friedman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker downplays concerns about foreign holdings of U.S. debt, noting that investors accept lower returns for safety and that it is ultimately their choice. **In simple terms:** Foreign investors hold U.S. debt despite lower returns; it's their decision. Key Takeaway Recognize market participants' autonomy. Themes economics finance geopolitics Mood analytical neutral Type observational economic When to use this quote - central banking policy - portfolio diversification - government budgeting Key Concepts investment risk currency stability global trade sovereign debt Questions to Reflect On - Should investors prioritize safety over yield? - How does foreign debt ownership affect U.S. policy? A Different Perspective Higher returns elsewhere could attract capital away, affecting debt sustainability. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bits/) [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [China](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/china/) [China and japan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/china-and-japan/) [China Japan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/china-japan-393665/) [Debt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/debt/) [Debt Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/debt-way-444318/) [Elsewhere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/elsewhere/) [Foolish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/foolish/) [Hold Debt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hold-debt-3062587/) [Japan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/japan/) [Japan Hold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/japan-hold-5081817/) [Lower Returns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lower-returns-4609837/) [Might](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/might/) [Return](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/return/) [Seems](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/seems/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) [Worry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worry/) ## Related quotes > [I'm flying to China and Japan - if you think Beckham is a big name, you should see me there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-taylor/i-m-flying-to-china-and-japan-if-you-think-beckham-is-a-big-name-you/) [Phil Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-taylor/) > [If America could get along with Russia - and by the way, China and Japan and everyone. 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