The US will likely respond to its mounting debt through currency devaluation, money printing and artificially low interest rates, according to Bridgewater Associates founder Ray Dalio – a strategy he argues will push future generations to repay today's debt with cheaper US dollars.
Dalio noted in a recent interview that countries do not default like individuals or companies, instead, they "go broke" by devaluing their currency. He expressed concern over the US fiscal outlook, highlighting federal debt levels of US$36 trillion to US$38 trillion (HK$280.8 trillion to HK$296.4 trillion), an annual deficit of about US$2 trillion, and yearly debt issuance needs that could reach $12 trillion
He compared the current macroeconomic environment to the 1970s, when the US abandoned the gold standard and entered a period of stagflation. "The biggest risk now is stagflation," Dalio said, adding that gold remains a reliable hedge during times of extreme stress.
For investors, Dalio recommends inflation-linked bonds as the safest asset class, and suggests allocating 10-15 percent of a portfolio to gold as a hedge. He remains cautious on real estate, calling it overly sensitive to interest rates and highly taxable.