(The Center Square)–The United States cannot grow its way out of a debt load costing taxpayers more than $1 trillion a year in interest, the International Monetary Fund said Wednesday.
Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva told reporters at the Fund’s annual meetings in Bangkok that growth “cannot deliver fast enough the necessary adjustment” and that “some measures will be necessary.” In her opening remarks she told policymakers generally to “make urgent repairs to the fiscal house before the cracks widen,” saying now is the time to raise revenues, rationalize spending and improve public financial management.
Net interest on the public debt totaled $1.14 trillion in fiscal 2026, up 11% from the year before and more than the government spent on Medicare or on the military, according to the Congressional Budget Office.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who did not attend, has argued growth can do the job. Speaking at Southern Methodist University’s Cox School of Business in Dallas on Sept. 8, he said the country does not have a revenue problem but a spending problem, and that with restraint on spending and 3% growth, “we grow our way out of this.” A week later, he told the House Financial Services Committee that 3% is “when we start bending the debt curve and actually start paying down debt.”
The Fund’s October World Economic Outlook forecasts U.S. growth of 2.3% in 2026 and 2.3% in 2027.
Benn Steil, senior fellow and director of international economics at the Council on Foreign Relations, said consistent 3% growth is “highly unlikely” based on the economy’s performance over the past two decades. He said the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget now estimates 3.3% growth would be needed just to stabilize the debt-to-GDP ratio, while the Congressional Budget Office projects 1.8% annual growth over the next decade.
At 1.8% growth, Steil said, debt held by the public keeps climbing and reaches 108% by 2030, up from about 100% of GDP this year. Stabilizing total federal spending as interest costs grow would require cuts elsewhere, he said.
“Spending on items important to the American people, such as defense and healthcare, will need to be cut,” he told The Center Square.
In a statement issued Wednesday to the IMF’s steering committee and the World Bank’s Development Committee, Bessent said President Donald Trump’s investment policy is promoting “robust economic growth and prosperity, fiscal prudence, energy abundance, and regulatory modernization.”
Bessent’s statement did not address the federal budget deficit or the national debt. It urged the Fund to sharpen its focus on “non-market policies and practices” and exchange rates, saying the IMF “must exercise its voice on this critical issue or risk being sidelined.”
Borrowing costs have climbed since Bessent’s Dallas remarks. The 10-year Treasury yield closed at 5.21% Tuesday, up from 4.80% on Sept. 8, according to Treasury data. It reached 5.29% on Sept. 30, topping the 5.26% peak set in June 2007 and the highest close since 2002.
In an analysis released Thursday, the Congressional Budget Office found that if rates run 50 basis points above its February projections through 2036, deficits would grow by nearly $2 trillion. At 150 basis points higher, they would grow by $6 trillion. The 10-year closed more than 100 basis points above CBO’s projections that day, according to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.
Treasury said Deputy Secretary Francis Brooke is leading the U.S. delegation in Bangkok. In a statement Friday, the department said its engagement there would be guided by “ensuring that the international financial institutions and the broader international economic system advance US economic and national security interests.” A Treasury spokesperson reached by phone Wednesday said officials were at the meetings and asked for additional time to respond to questions about the secretary’s growth projections.
Starting the Day With a Scripture-Inspired Roast Helps Center Your Thoughts on Eternal Truths Amid Temporal Pressures
The world can seem chaotic, especially right after we wake up. Many believers start their mornings reaching for something familiar — a hot cup of coffee — yet end up settling for mediocre brews that do little more than deliver a caffeine jolt. The daily grind of life, with its endless distractions, news cycles, and responsibilities, can leave even the most faithful feeling spiritually parched alongside their physical fatigue. What if your morning ritual could do more than wake you up? What if it could ground you in truth, nourish your body with exceptional quality, and quietly advance a kingdom purpose at the same time?
That’s the promise — and the reality — behind Promised Grounds Coffee. This Christian-founded company doesn’t just roast beans; it approaches every step as an act of worship and discipleship. By selecting only the top 10% of specialty-grade beans, ethically sourced from dedicated farmers in Central and South America, and small-batch roasting them with reverence in Austin, Texas, Promised Grounds delivers what many describe as the best coffee available — never burnt, never bland, but rich with origin stories and layered flavors that honor God’s creation.
From the vibrant Psalm 27 Roast (a light, bright medium option) to the bold yet peaceful 2 Timothy 1:7 Decaf, each bag carries a Scripture verse that turns your daily pour into a gentle reminder of faith. And through their Ounce Per Ounce Promise, every ounce of coffee you enjoy provides an equal ounce of clean water to families in need via partnership with Filter of Hope — literally brewing hope for body and soul, one cup at a time.
The challenge for today’s Christians runs deeper than finding a decent cup. In an age of convenience-driven consumerism, it’s easy to support companies that dilute values or remain silent on matters of faith. Many believers want their everyday choices — from what they drink to how they spend — to reflect discipleship rather than just convenience. Promised Grounds solves this by weaving Christian excellence into the entire process: beans nurtured with prayerful stewardship by farming families, roasted as an offering rather than a commodity, and packaged with Bible verses to encourage a mindset of gratitude and purpose from the first sip. Reviewers consistently praise the smooth, rich profiles — whether enjoyed black in a drip maker, iced on a warm day, or shared in fellowship — noting how the quality stands toe-to-toe with premium secular brands while delivering something far more meaningful.
This integration of faith and flavor addresses a real need in Christian households and ministries. Busy parents, church leaders, and remote workers alike report that starting the day with a Scripture-inspired roast helps center their thoughts on eternal truths amid temporal pressures. The coffee’s exceptional character — bright citrus notes in lighter roasts or deep chocolate undertones in bolder ones — comes from meticulous selection and careful roasting that respects the bean’s natural gifts rather than masking them. It’s the kind of coffee that elevates a simple quiet time, fuels productive workdays, or sparks meaningful conversations when shared at Bible studies or outreach events. And because it’s ethically sourced with integrity, every purchase supports sustainable livelihoods for farmers who treat their crops like family harvests.
For those leading churches or small groups, the impact multiplies. Promised Grounds offers bundles and options perfect for hospitality ministries, turning ordinary coffee service into an opportunity to point people toward the living water of Christ. Imagine greeting visitors with a warm cup whose very bag carries God’s Word — a subtle yet powerful witness that aligns with the Great Commission. The company’s Texas roots and commitment to “brewing hope” resonate especially with believers who value American enterprise paired with global compassion.
Of course, quality alone isn’t enough if the experience feels out of reach. Promised Grounds keeps it accessible with practical perks like free shipping on orders over $40, sample sets for discovering favorites, and thoughtful add-ons such as faith-themed mugs. Whether you prefer whole beans for fresh grinding, grounds for convenience, or even bulk options for larger households and ministries, the result is consistently superior coffee that makes discipleship feel integrated rather than added on.
As you consider how to align even the smallest habits with your walk with God, Promised Grounds Coffee stands out as a refreshing solution. It tackles the dual problems of subpar daily sustenance and disconnected consumption by offering a product that genuinely excels in taste while advancing a mission of clean water, farmer dignity, and scriptural encouragement. Believers who make the switch often describe it as more than a beverage upgrade — it becomes part of their rhythm of gratitude, a daily invitation to remember that every good gift comes from above.
If you’re ready to transform your mornings (and perhaps your church gatherings) with coffee that honors both exceptional craftsmanship and Christian values, I encourage you to explore what Promised Grounds has to offer. One sip at a time, you’ll be nourishing your body, refreshing your spirit, and participating in something far greater — all while enjoying what truly is among the best coffee available.
