The new world isn't about imperialism, it's about designing great products that improve our lives and which also promote a sustainable future. Warships and massive armies are Victorian - expensive dinasaurs of the past - with all those over decorated crusty generals and admirals. Compete by designing better technology. China is far more advanced in renewable energy. It can be an amazing world!
AS THE Chinese economy continues to grow and grow, it will challenge America’s status as the number one economic power in the world. Biden was right when he said, “China has an overall goal, and I don’t criticize them for the goal, but they have an overall goal to become the leading country in the world, the wealthiest country in the world and the most powerful country in the world.” Actually, the real Chinese goal is to improve the livelihood of the Chinese people. Right now, the per capita income of the 1.4 billion Chinese people is about $10,000, compared to $65,000 for the 380 million American people. If the Chinese succeed in improving their per capita income to $17,000, one-quarter of America’s, their economy will become larger as their population is four times larger.
The real competition is perforce economic. If this is true, there are a few simple logical steps America can take to enhance its economic competitiveness. Step one would be to slash its bloated defense budget by half and re-invest the money saved into research and development. Step two would be to completely withdraw all its defense forces from the Middle East and stop fighting unnecessary wars, which have cost American taxpayers $5 trillion since the post-9/11 wars began. Step three would be to reverse all the steps that the Trump administration took in the trade war with China. Why reverse them? They didn’t weaken the Chinese economy. Indeed, they may have damaged America’s economy instead.
National Interest
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If the Chinese succeed in improving their per capita income to $17,000, one-quarter of America’s, their economy will become larger as their population is four times larger.
Except that China's economy is already larger.
I know that reality often has little place in our political debates, but is there any way we can the New York Times and other news outlets to stop saying that the U.S. economy is the world’s largest? It happens not to be true.
According to the I.M.F., using purchasing power parity measures, which most economists view as the best measure, China passed the United States in 2015 and is now more than 25 percent larger. Maybe reporters and editors get a kick out of saying that the U.S. is the world’s largest economy, but since it happens not to be true, it would be good if they stopped saying it. —Dean Baker
GDP, PPP (current international $) - China, United States
IMF - China and US
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