US national debt exceeds $40 trillion for first time

The US gross national debt has surged past $40 trillion for the first time, government data showed Wednesday, outstripping earlier forecasts at a pace fuelled in part by President Donald Trump’s invalidated tariffs.The uptick in borrowing comes as longer term US obligations linked to social security and health care have been growing, while interest payments have climbed as well.Total public debt outstanding stood at $40.05 trillion at the close of business Tuesday, according to data relea