The U.S. Treasury Department will begin imposing measures to prevent default in the country from January 21

The introduction of emergency measures to prevent default in the United States will begin on January 21. This was announced by the head of the U.S. Ministry of Finance Janet Yellen on January 18.

"I am writing to you to keep you informed of the actions taken by the Ministry of Finance with regard to the debt limit <...> on the emergency measures that the Treasury Department will begin to apply from January 21," - stated in the text of the letter.

Yellen clarified that the period of time during which the measures to prevent default may be in effect has not been determined. However, according to the "period of suspension of debt issuance," certain payments and operations will be suspended until March 14. The finance chief also urged "Congress to act swiftly."

Earlier, on December 28, 2024, the head of the US Treasury Department said that the country will return to a fixed ceiling on the national debt on January 2. She also warned that after America reaches the national debt ceiling between January 14 and January 23, the U.S. Finance Ministry will be forced to take emergency measures to avoid a possible default.

Specialists of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on June 27 of the same year called the growth of the U.S. national debt a threat to the world economy. Thus, by 2032, the country's national debt may exceed 140% of GDP. The IMF urged American politicians to carefully consider raising indirect taxes and gradually increasing income tax.