Do they think the Chinese don’t? The lender is the one at risk the day after a dollar is lent and every day thereafter until the debt is repaid.
That's what my dad told me, which became apparent since he told me that growing up in the 30' :) His favorite teaching was "Never be a borrower nor a lender. They are both bad! You may find it very hard to pay or the lender may not pay you." Remember the "Greatest generation". That's why they were. I do believe foreign lenders who have defense arrears can bargain to reduce our NATIONAL DEBT as Mr. Trump has indicated.