China, Japan Sold Billions in US Debt in September, New Treasury Data Show

Foreign investment into U.S. government bonds declined on fiscal concerns.

Euro, Hong Kong dollar, U.S. dollar, Japanese yen, pound, and Chinese 100 yuan banknotes are seen in this picture illustration on Jan. 21, 2016. Jason Lee/Illustration/Reuters

At a time when the U.S. government is witnessing lackluster domestic interest in bonds, foreign investors are also limiting their exposure to American debt, new data show.

Foreign investment—central banks, financial institutions, and private investors—into U.S. government debt tumbled by about $100 billion to $7.605 trillion in September, according to the Treasury Department’s monthly TIC report. That includes bonds, notes, and T-bills.