1. In 1950 the UK was the world's largest debtor nation and the US the largest creditor.

2. At the beginning of the 1990 the United States was the largest debtor nation in history.

3. The government had promised as much and a debtor nation could not afford to antagonise its lenders.

4. 19 In 1950 the UK was the world's largest debtor nation and the US the largest creditor.