S&P Global Ratings has affirmed the United States’ long-term sovereign credit rating at AA+ and the short-term rating at A-1+, keeping the outlook stable. The agency said the world’s largest economy retains “extraordinary” monetary and fiscal flexibility despite persistent fiscal deficits. In its assessment, S&P cautioned that structurally rising nondiscretionary interest payments and aging-related expenditures will continue to weigh on public finances. Even so, the firm expects higher tariff revenues to partly offset the budget hit from recent spending legislation, limiting near-term fiscal slippage. S&P projects net general government debt will approach 100% of gross domestic product over the next few years. It forecasts real GDP growth to decelerate to about 1.7% in 2025 and 1.6% in 2026 before stabilizing near 2%, reflecting the economy’s resilience but slower trend expansion. The affirmation leaves the U.S. at the same AA+ level assigned by Fitch Ratings and one notch below Moody’s Aa1. Moody’s lowered its grade in May, citing similar fiscal strains, while Fitch maintained its AA+ stance last year.