BEIJING- Moscow and Beijing have cut their holdings in US Treasurysecurities. Russia sold $5.3 billion in January and has sunk to 16th placeof the largest holders of American debt.
It is the lowest level for the country since February last year.
*“We absolutely do not hold American securities exclusively. The main thingis that these securities should be liquid. So should be the state thatissued them,”*said Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov in an interviewwith NTV this week.
Russia also invests in the securities of European countries.
*“We are ready to invest in the securities issued by other sovereignstates, the main thing is that they should be low-risk and accordinglybring income,”* Siluanov said.
China also sold nearly $17 billion in American bonds in January. AlthoughBeijing is still the largest holder of US Treasuries, the total amount ofTreasuries in its reserves has dropped to a minimum since July last year.
One of the largest investors in US government bonds remains the CaymanIslands. The small tax-friendly country has invested almost $242 billion inthe American debt, on par with a holder as large as the United Kingdom.
The third-largest buyer of American debt is Ireland, investing $327.5billion in US debt securities. Ireland is also considered a tax haven forAmerican companies, and was involved in the Apple Inc. tax scandal.