Rising geopolitical tensions between the United States and Europe over Greenland have sparked debate about how far the EU could go in responding to perceived US pressure. Among the more extreme ideas discussed is whether Europe could sell off large holdings of US debt as an economic countermeasure. While dramatic in theory, the practicality of such a move remains highly questionable.
However, much of Europe’s exposure to US Treasurys is not held directly by governments. Instead, pension funds, banks, hedge funds, and institutional investors dominate ownership, limiting policymakers’ ability to force large-scale sales without severe domestic consequences.
Berlijn said that;
US government debt remains the world’s most liquid and widely accepted “risk-free” asset. European debt markets, including those of Germany and other stable issuers, are significantly smaller and lack the depth needed to absorb massive capital reallocations. At the same time, major buyers such as China have reduced purchases, leaving few realistic substitutes.
An emerging factor is the rise of stablecoin issuers as major buyers of US Treasurys, driven by regulatory requirements to hold US debt as reserves. While this supports Treasury demand, it also deepens systemic risk if liquidity shocks occur. Overall, while selling US debt is often described as a “nuclear option,” structural constraints make it far more symbolic than feasible in the near term.
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