The United States maintains a commanding GDP lead of $12.99 trillion ($32.38T vs $19.39T), representing a 67% larger economy despite China's faster growth rate of 4.6-4.8% compared to the US's 2.0% quarterly growth, reflecting different economic structures and development stages.
China vs United States GDP Nominal 2026 — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
World's second-largest economy with manufacturing dominance in renewables and EVs.
World's largest developed economy with highest per-capita income
Nominal GDP 2026. GDP Gap. Annual Growth Rate. Growth Trajectory. EV Manufacturing Share. Solar Panel Production. Semiconductor/AI Investment Advantage
Choose United States if you're evaluating absolute economic scale, technological leadership in semiconductors and AI, and high-value innovation capacity. Choose China if you're analyzing growth momentum, manufacturing dominance in renewable energy (EVs, solar, batteries), and competitive pricing in energy-intensive industries—though US tariffs and export controls create headwinds for China's 2026 projections, potentially reducing its growth by 0.5-2 percentage points and shaving $400-800 billion from nominal GDP.
China (People's Republic of): $19.39T | United States: $28.7 trillion
China (People's Republic of): 4.6-4.8% | United States: 2.1%
China (People's Republic of): 70% | United States: ~15%
China (People's Republic of): 80%+ | United States: ~5%
China (People's Republic of): 94% | United States: ~3%
China (People's Republic of): 35% | United States: ~18%
China (People's Republic of): -$400-800B (0.5-2% growth reduction) | United States: Minimal direct impact
China (People's Republic of): Limited by US export controls | United States: Global leader in chip design
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: $25.5 Trillion
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: $877 Billion
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: 76.4 years
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: 5,550
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: 9.8 Million
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: $30+ trillion
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: $89,000+
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: Global leader (Intel, NVIDIA, TSMC partners)
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: 5-10%
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: Lower exposure (potential beneficiary)
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: 2.0-2.2%
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: 10%
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: <5%
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: Potential +0.5% from policy
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: 0.5%+ (estimated)
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: 2.0-2.5%
Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery Production
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: Minimal (<5%)
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: 12%
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: Minimal exposure
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: $76,398
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: $27.4 trillion
Government Education Expenditure Per Capita
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: $3,981 (2022)
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: $11,109.2 billion
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: $925.8 billion
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: $2,174.6 billion
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: 0.34 billion
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: 3,794,100 sq mi
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: $86,173
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: 122.27%
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: 50.50%
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: Rank 1 (global superpower)
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: 21%
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: 2.1%
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: $96,500
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: 1st largest
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: Reference (leader)
Years to Close GDP Gap (at current growth rates)
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: N/A (declining relative position)
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: ~15%
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: $27.9 trillion
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: 339.1 million
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: 3.5%
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: 16%
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: 346 companies
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: 312 million
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: $28.7 trillion
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: $87,500
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: $2.1 trillion
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: 80%
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: 26%
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: $36 trillion
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: $26.9 trillion
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: 13.8%
Foreign Direct Investment Inflows (2025)
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: $285 billion
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: 119%
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: $27.36 trillion
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: 38 years
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: 0.921
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: 99.0%
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: 100.0
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: $11,072
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: $28.1 trillion
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: $85,400
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: 8.1%
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: 122%
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: 8.2%
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: $820 billion
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: 1.3 million
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: 12,400 papers
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: 3.2%
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: 352,000 patents
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: 400,000 base stations
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: 375 million
Annual GDP Per Capita Growth (2020-2026)
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: 1.38:1
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: 16.6%
China (People's Republic of): N/A | United States: 1.3%
China (People's Republic of) — Wikipedia
How to choose between China (People's Republic of) and United States
Compare China (People's Republic of) vs United States
China vs United States GDP Nominal 2026 — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for China vs United States GDP Nominal 2026. Contains 92 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
China vs United States GDP Nominal 2026 — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for China vs United States GDP Nominal 2026.
How much larger is the US economy than China's in 2026?
The US economy is $12.99 trillion larger in nominal GDP terms ($32.38T vs $19.39T), representing a 67% larger economy. However, China is growing faster at 4.6-4.8% annually vs the US's 2.0% quarterly rate, meaning the gap narrows over time if growth rates persist.
Could tariffs and US export controls reduce China's GDP in 2026?
Yes. Goldman Sachs and ECB analyses estimate tariffs and export controls could reduce China's GDP growth by 0.5-2 percentage points, shaving $400-800 billion from its 2026 economy through reduced exports, supply chain disruptions, and limited access to advanced semiconductors.
Why does China dominate EV and renewable energy production?
China controls 70% of global EV production, 94% of lithium iron phosphate batteries, and 80%+ of solar panels due to vertically integrated supply chains, lower labor costs, decades of manufacturing investment, and government industrial policy. This concentration gives China competitive pricing advantages in renewable energy sectors.
What is the US's economic advantage over China?
The US leads in high-value sectors: semiconductor design and advanced chip manufacturing, AI development, software/services, and financial markets. These sectors generate higher profit margins and technological moats, allowing the US to maintain economic dominance despite smaller manufacturing volume and slower headline growth.
How do growth rates differ between the two economies?
China's economy is growing at 4.6-4.8% annually (accelerating from 4.5% in 2024), boosted by fiscal stimulus and export recovery. The US grew only 2.0% in Q1 2026 (down from 0.5% in Q4 2025), reflecting a mature, slower-growth economy. If sustained, China could nominally narrow the GDP gap by ~$600-750 billion annually, though tariffs pose downside risk.
How to Choose Between China (People's Republic of) and United States
Nominal GDP 2026: China (People's Republic of) has $19.39 trillion, while United States has $32.38 trillion.
GDP Gap: China (People's Republic of) has Second largest, while United States has Largest by $12.99 trillion.
Annual Growth Rate: China (People's Republic of) has 4.6-4.8%, while United States has 2.0% (Q1 2026).
Growth Trajectory: China (People's Republic of) has Accelerating from 4.5% (2024), while United States has Slowing from 0.5% (Q4 2025).
EV Manufacturing Share: China (People's Republic of) has 70% of global production, while United States has Smaller share, premium focus.
Solar Panel Production: China (People's Republic of) has 80%+ of global supply, while United States has Limited domestic production.
Consider: Semiconductor/AI Investment Advantage
Semiconductor/AI Investment Advantage: China (People's Republic of) has Constrained by US export controls, while United States has Leading edge chip design & AI.