I'm vaguely aware that partners with a trade surplus end up buying t-bonds. eg China, Japan. I poorly explained the post-WWII scenarios I was thinking of: to s

I'm vaguely aware that partners with a trade surplus end up buying t-bonds. eg China, Japan. I poorly explained the post-WWII scenarios I was thinking of: to stimulate demand for US goods, the US govt would give aid, grant loans, etc to other countries, for those countries to spend on US goods. Ditto World Bank, IMF, etc. I've read criticisms of this strategy over the years. Many have suggested it would be better for the developing economies if US/West simply bought their goods. Or maybe a hybrid, like stable investments and purchase agreements.