Scope Ratings warns US debt could reach 160% of GDP in a decade

Scope Ratings has maintained the United States' credit rating at AA- with a stable outlook, but has issued a warning regarding the country's unsustainable fiscal trajectory. The agency cautioned that extremely high fiscal deficits and continuous debt accumulation are increasing the nation's vulnerability to shifts in the investment climate.

Scope predicts that the U.S. public debt could rise to 160% of GDP within the next decade. Furthermore, the agency expects the net cost of servicing this debt to reach 'extremely high' levels by 2031. Without significant economic growth or substantial fiscal adjustments—such as increased revenue or spending cuts—the debt dynamics are expected to remain unfavorable.

The agency also highlighted risks associated with upcoming confrontations in Congress regarding the debt ceiling, a recurring source of market volatility. While the U.S. no longer holds a top-tier credit rating from any major international agency following a downgrade by Moody’s Ratings in 2025, Scope’s stance remains notably more cautious than other major rating firms.