Counter-argument, largely lifted from Graeber's _Debt, the first 5000 years_: The US trade deficit isn't ever really meant to be repaid, it's basically the mod

Counter-argument, largely lifted from Graeber's _Debt, the first 5000 years_: The US trade deficit isn't ever really meant to be repaid, it's basically the modern equivalent of the Roman Republic/Empire demanding tribute from weaker states with a thin veneer of "I'll pay you back" to make it more palatable. Like the time the homeless dude living under a bridge near me asked to "borrow" 50€ from me :)