The US economy leads in per-capita income ($76,398 vs $12,720), technological innovation, and currency strength, while China dominates in manufacturing output, population scale, and foreign direct investment inflows. The US GDP remains larger in nominal terms ($28.7 trillion vs $17.9 trillion in 2026), but China's economy continues rapid structural transformation toward high-tech sectors.
China vs United States Economy 2026 — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
The world's largest economy by nominal GDP with advanced technology sector and strong institutional frameworks.
The world's second-largest economy by nominal GDP, dominant in manufacturing with significant infrastructure investment.
Nominal GDP 2026. GDP Per Capita. Real GDP Growth Rate 2025-2026. Manufacturing Output. Foreign Exchange Reserves. Unemployment Rate. Global Trade Surplus/Deficit
The US maintains structural economic superiority through higher per-capita wealth, advanced technology sectors, and institutional stability, making it the wealthier nation per citizen. China possesses scale advantages in manufacturing, growth momentum, and foreign reserves, positioning it as an emerging economic superpower. Choose the US for investment in consumer sectors, tech, and financial markets; choose China for manufacturing partnerships, supply chain participation, and growth-stage opportunities.
United States Economy: $30.0-30.5 trillion | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 17% | China Economy: 70%
United States Economy: ~6% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: ~16% | China Economy: 35%
United States Economy: ~3.8-4.0% | China Economy: N/A
Advanced Semiconductor Market Leadership
United States Economy: Dominant (Intel, TSMC partnership, Samsung); controls cutting-edge nodes | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 20-25% | China Economy: 70%
United States Economy: Global leader in design and manufacturing | China Economy: Limited by US export controls, advancing in AI adoption
United States Economy: Moderate exposure | China Economy: -0.5 to -2%
United States Economy: 2.2% | China Economy: 4.5-5.0%
United States Economy: $925.8 billion | China Economy: $296.5 billion
United States Economy: $4.18 trillion (2024) | China Economy: $620.1 billion
United States Economy: 0.3-0.5% | China Economy: 0.5-2.0%
United States Economy: 30.0+ | China Economy: $17.9
United States Economy: $4,175 billion | China Economy: $620 billion
United States Economy: $4,481 | China Economy: $525
United States Economy: ~20% | China Economy: 70%
United States Economy: 6% | China Economy: 82%
United States Economy: Leading edge (3nm and below) | China Economy: Restricted to 7nm+ (export controls)
United States Economy: Minimal negative impact | China Economy: -0.5 to -2.0%
United States Economy: ~10% | China Economy: ~80%
United States Economy: Leading in design and manufacturing | China Economy: Limited by US export controls
United States Economy: Minimal (exporter advantage) | China Economy: $400-800B reduction
United States Economy: 2.0-2.5% | China Economy: 4.6-4.8%
United States Economy: €925.8 billion | China Economy: €296.5 billion
United States Economy: 2.0-2.5% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 25-30% of global EVs | China Economy: 70%
United States Economy: 8-10% | China Economy: 80%+
United States Economy: ~4.0% | China Economy: ~5.2%
United States Economy: $4,175,432 million (2024) | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: €925,796.8 million | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $89,000 | China Economy: $13,500
United States Economy: $10,266.8 | China Economy: $5,708.7
United States Economy: $925.8 | China Economy: $296.5
United States Economy: Global market leader | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: Lower exposure | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: ~6% of global | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: €925.8 billion | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 2.0-2.5% | China Economy: 4.5-5.0%
United States Economy: 6% | China Economy: 94%
United States Economy: Minimal | China Economy: 0.5-2.0%
United States Economy: 0.4-0.6% | China Economy: 0.2-0.3%
Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery Production
United States Economy: ~15% | China Economy: 94%
United States Economy: $89,000+ | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 9% | China Economy: 82%
United States Economy: 0.2-0.4pp | China Economy: 0.5-2.0pp
United States Economy: 0.3-0.5% (from AI investment) | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 2.2% | China Economy: 4.8%
Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery Production Share
United States Economy: 4% | China Economy: 94%
United States Economy: 15% | China Economy: 70%
United States Economy: 12% | China Economy: 80%
United States Economy: $50-150B | China Economy: $400-800B
United States Economy: $31.5 trillion | China Economy: $45.78 trillion
United States Economy: 2.1% | China Economy: 6.0%
United States Economy: 1st | China Economy: 2nd
United States Economy: 123% | China Economy: 77%
United States Economy: 338M | China Economy: 1.426 billion
United States Economy: $809 billion | China Economy: $680 billion
United States Economy: ~4.0% | China Economy: ~5.5%
United States Economy: AI, semiconductors, cloud, fintech | China Economy: EV manufacturing, 5G, solar, semiconductors
United States Economy: $35,000-45,000 | China Economy: $16,800 (119,800 yuan)
United States Economy: $94,430 | China Economy: $14,874
United States Economy: $11.1 trillion ahead | China Economy: $11.1 trillion behind
United States Economy: Data not available | China Economy: 5.0%
United States Economy: Data not available | China Economy: 6.1%
United States Economy: ~25-26% of global GDP | China Economy: ~16-17% of global GDP
United States Economy: Data not available | China Economy: 0.9% CPI
United States Economy: 1st | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 1st (maintained) | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: ~1.8% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 26.2% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: Not specified | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $28.0 trillion | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $85,000 | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $31 trillion | China Economy: $18.7 trillion
United States Economy: €10,217,935.3 million | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $3,981 | China Economy: €467
United States Economy: 44.5 | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: ~2.8% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 1 EUR = 1.1797 USD | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 2.0-2.4% | China Economy: 3-4%
United States Economy: 2.0% | China Economy: Data not available
United States Economy: $96,500+ | China Economy: $14,800+
United States Economy: $11.53 trillion lead | China Economy: 36% smaller than US
United States Economy: $27.23 trillion | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 122.27% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 37.74% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $925.8 billion | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 3.5% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $76,398 | China Economy: $12,720
United States Economy: 337 million | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 2.8% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 11.8% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 26.3% | China Economy: 14.3%
United States Economy: 38.5 years | China Economy: 38.8 years
United States Economy: $27.4 trillion | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 4.2% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 2.9% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $156 billion | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 167 companies | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 11.2% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $82,000 | China Economy: $12,700
United States Economy: $28.3 trillion | China Economy: $17.9 trillion
United States Economy: 2.5% | China Economy: 5.3%
United States Economy: $2.4 trillion | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $285 billion (2023) | China Economy: $189 billion
United States Economy: $82,500 | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 4.1% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 123% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $62,400 | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 339 million | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 65% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 2.5% | China Economy: 4.8%
United States Economy: $85,400 | China Economy: $12,700
United States Economy: $0.13 trillion | China Economy: $3.2 trillion
United States Economy: 16% | China Economy: 28%
United States Economy: 123% | China Economy: 282%
United States Economy: $2.1 trillion | China Economy: $3.6 trillion
United States Economy: 3.5% | China Economy: $652 billion
United States Economy: 2.1% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $76,398 | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 16.3% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $12.8 trillion | China Economy: $4.2 trillion
United States Economy: 340 million | China Economy: 1,420 million
United States Economy: 31% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 21% of electricity | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $28.7T | China Economy: $17.9T
United States Economy: 136 companies | China Economy: 142 companies
United States Economy: $2.1 trillion | China Economy: $3.8 trillion
United States Economy: $33.2 trillion | China Economy: $10.8 trillion
United States Economy: 2.8% | China Economy: 4.8%
United States Economy: 11.2% | China Economy: 28.4%
United States Economy: 80.1% | China Economy: 54.8%
United States Economy: $285 billion | China Economy: $163 billion
United States Economy: $31.2 trillion | China Economy: $22.8 trillion
United States Economy: -$73 billion deficit | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 12% | China Economy: 28%
United States Economy: 4.0% | China Economy: 5.1%
United States Economy: -$773 billion (deficit) | China Economy: +$632 billion (surplus)
United States Economy: $2.3T | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 2.5% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 11.5% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $820 billion | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 625,000 | China Economy: 1,200 thousand
United States Economy: $27.4 trillion | China Economy: $28.3 trillion
United States Economy: 2.4% | China Economy: 4.8%
United States Economy: 8.2% | China Economy: 14.8%
United States Economy: $27.4 trillion | China Economy: $34.7 trillion
United States Economy: -$773 billion | China Economy: +$631 billion
United States Economy: $285 billion | China Economy: $189 billion
United States Economy: 2.5% | China Economy: 5.1%
United States Economy: -$773 billion deficit | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: +0.4% (growing) | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $27.4 trillion | China Economy: $17.9 trillion
United States Economy: $2.4 trillion | China Economy: $4.2 trillion
United States Economy: 130% | China Economy: 77%
United States Economy: $60,500 | China Economy: $11,500
United States Economy: 0.38 million | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $809 billion | China Economy: $696 billion
United States Economy: 17% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 9.8% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $42.8 trillion | China Economy: $15.2 trillion
United States Economy: 16% | China Economy: 28.3%
United States Economy: $7.1 trillion | China Economy: $6.8 trillion
United States Economy: $27.4 trillion | China Economy: $23.5 trillion
Foreign Direct Investment Inflows (2024)
United States Economy: $269 billion | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $27.9 trillion | China Economy: $27.4 trillion
United States Economy: 63.0% | China Economy: N/A
Tech Sector Market Capitalization (Top 7 Companies)
United States Economy: $14.2 trillion | China Economy: $2.8 trillion
Average Annual GDP Growth Rate (2010-2023)
United States Economy: 2.4% | China Economy: 6.8%
United States Economy: $28.2 trillion | China Economy: $31.6 trillion
United States Economy: 26% of world GDP | China Economy: 16% of world GDP
United States Economy: 0.41 | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 17.3% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: -$773 billion deficit | China Economy: +$821 billion surplus
United States Economy: 3.4% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 38.4 | China Economy: 38.8
United States Economy: 398,144 | China Economy: 687,231
United States Economy: 209 million | China Economy: 920 million
United States Economy: $28.7 trillion | China Economy: $17.9 trillion
United States Economy: $12.4 trillion | China Economy: $3.8 trillion
United States Economy: 615,000 | China Economy: 1,820,000
United States Economy: 2.9% | China Economy: 0.2%
United States Economy: 11.8% | China Economy: 28.4%
United States Economy: 415,000 | China Economy: 1,200,000
United States Economy: $42 trillion | China Economy: $8.7 trillion
United States Economy: $120,000 | China Economy: $38,000
United States Economy: $76,500 | China Economy: $12,800
United States Economy: 680 GW | China Economy: 1,480 GW
United States Economy: 8.2% | China Economy: 12.4%
United States Economy: $27.4T | China Economy: $17-18
United States Economy: 2.7% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 12% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 32.4% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 16.9% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 21.6% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $2.9 trillion | China Economy: $4.7 trillion
United States Economy: 4.1% | China Economy: 4.9%
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: 4.2%
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: $89 billion
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: $189 billion
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: 4.6-4.8%
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: 80%+
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: $400-800B
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: $17.7 trillion
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: 4.7%
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: 80%
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: Limited by US export controls
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: $17.9 trillion
Foreign Direct Investment Inflows (Annual)
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: $163.5 billion
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: 28% (diversified)
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: $12,700
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: 5.0%
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: 5.1%
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: 28%
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: 14%
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: 282%
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: +$631 billion (surplus)
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: 8.7%
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: 1,750,000
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: 2nd largest exporter (after USA)
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: $3.6T
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: 8-10%
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: 30 million
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: $3.6 trillion
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: 38.4 years
How to choose between United States Economy and China Economy
Compare United States Economy vs China Economy
China vs United States Economy 2026 — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for China vs United States Economy 2026. Contains 256 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
China vs United States Economy 2026 — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for China vs United States Economy 2026.
Will China's economy surpass the US by 2030?
Current projections suggest China's nominal GDP could approach US levels by 2035-2040 if growth differentials persist, but per-capita metrics will lag significantly. However, structural challenges including aging population (declining workforce by 800,000 annually), real estate debt crisis, and potential supply chain decoupling could slow this trajectory. Most IMF forecasts show US maintaining nominal GDP leadership through 2030.
How do their technology sectors compare?
The US dominates AI research (producing 55% of top AI papers), semiconductors (NVIDIA, Intel, Qualcomm), and software (Microsoft, Apple, Google). China leads in 5G infrastructure deployment (8.5 million base stations vs US 700,000), EV manufacturing (60% global share), and e-commerce platforms. The US maintains a 3-5 year advantage in cutting-edge semiconductor design, while China excels in deployment scale.
What are the fiscal risks for each economy?
The US faces long-term debt sustainability concerns with 123% debt-to-GDP ratio and rising interest payments consuming 13% of federal revenue. China confronts hidden local government debt estimated at $2.7 trillion alongside property sector liabilities of $2.1 trillion. Both have medium-term fiscal pressures, but the US has institutional mechanisms for adjustment while China's opaque accounting creates uncertainty.
Which economy is more resilient to economic shocks?
The US demonstrates greater resilience through diversified sectors, independent central bank credibility, and deep capital markets. China shows vulnerability to supply-chain disruptions and capital flight risks, evidenced by the 2015 stock market crash and 2023 banking sector stress. However, China's $3.2 trillion foreign reserves provide substantial policy flexibility absent in comparable US metrics.
How do consumer markets compare for businesses?
The US offers mature, high-spending consumers ($17,840 average annual consumption per capita) with established payment infrastructure and legal protections. China's 500 million middle-class consumers spend $8,420 annually on average with rapidly growing e-commerce penetration (92% of retail transactions online vs 20% in US). China provides growth volume; the US provides per-consumer spending depth.
How to Choose Between United States Economy and China Economy
Nominal GDP 2026: United States Economy has $28.7 trillion, while China Economy has $17.9 trillion.
GDP Per Capita: United States Economy has $76,398, while China Economy has $12,720.
Consider: Real GDP Growth Rate 2025-2026
Real GDP Growth Rate 2025-2026: United States Economy has 2.4%, while China Economy has 4.8%.
Manufacturing Output: United States Economy has $2.4 trillion annually, while China Economy has $4.2 trillion annually.
Foreign Exchange Reserves: United States Economy has $130 billion, while China Economy has $3.2 trillion.
Unemployment Rate: United States Economy has 4.1%, while China Economy has 4.9%.
Global Trade Surplus/Deficit: United States Economy has -$773 billion deficit, while China Economy has +$821 billion surplus.