The U.S. economy is larger by nominal GDP at $27.4 trillion versus China's $17.8 trillion, but China has been growing faster at 5.2% annually compared to the U.S. at 2.7%, making China the world's second-largest economy while the U.S. maintains the largest. The U.S. excels in per capita wealth and technological innovation, while China leads in manufacturing output and foreign exchange reserves.
United States Economy vs China Economy — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
World's largest economy with advanced tech sector and highest per-capita income
Second-largest nominal GDP with highest PPP adjustment, world's manufacturing hub with 1.4 billion population
Nominal GDP (2024). GDP Per Capita. Annual GDP Growth Rate (2024). Foreign Exchange Reserves. Manufacturing Output (% of global). Unemployment Rate (2024). Fortune 500 Companies
The United States maintains a larger, wealthier, and more stable economy with superior per capita income and lower unemployment, making it stronger for individual prosperity and innovation-driven growth. However, China is rapidly closing the gap with faster growth rates, massive manufacturing dominance, and enormous foreign reserves, positioning it as a rising economic superpower. Choose the U.S. economy if evaluating wealth per citizen and technological leadership; choose China if assessing manufacturing scale and future growth trajectory.
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: 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: $310 billion | China Economy: $680 billion
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: 4.2%
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: 126% | China Economy: 77%
United States Economy: 335 million | China Economy: 1,426 million
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: $12,700
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: $27.4 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: 336 million | China Economy: 1,420 million
United States Economy: 2.8% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 11.8% | China Economy: 27%
United States Economy: 25.5% | 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: $27.4 trillion | China Economy: $17.9 trillion
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: $27.4T | China Economy: $17.9T
United States Economy: 2.1% | China Economy: 5.2%
United States Economy: $82,000 | China Economy: $12,500
United States Economy: $0.13T | China Economy: $3.4T
United States Economy: 4.1% | China Economy: 5.3%
United States Economy: 12% | China Economy: 31%
United States Economy: $15.2T (Apple, Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Nvidia, Tesla, Broadcom) | China Economy: $4.8T (Alibaba, Tencent, Meituan weighted total)
United States Economy: 38.9 years | China Economy: 37.4 years (projected 53 by 2050)
United States Economy: $2.1 trillion | China Economy: $3.6 trillion
United States Economy: $82,000 | China Economy: $12,700
United States Economy: 2.8% | China Economy: 5.0%
United States Economy: $2.4 trillion | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $285 billion (2023) | China Economy: $189B
United States Economy: $81,500 | 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: 5.0%
United States Economy: $87,000 | China Economy: $13,500
United States Economy: 129% | China Economy: 282%
United States Economy: 3.5% | China Economy: $652 billion
United States Economy: 2.1% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $80,412 | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 16.3% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 123% | China Economy: 77%
United States Economy: $12.8 trillion | China Economy: $4.2 trillion
United States Economy: 335 million | China Economy: 1,420 million
United States Economy: 21% of electricity | China Economy: 18%
United States Economy: 144 companies | China Economy: 142 companies
United States Economy: $2.1 trillion | China Economy: $3.8 trillion
United States Economy: 16% | China Economy: 28%
United States Economy: 80.1% | China Economy: 54.8%
United States Economy: $346 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: 4.1% | China Economy: 5.1%
United States Economy: $-$73 billion | China Economy: +$632 billion (surplus)
United States Economy: 123% | China Economy: 282%
United States Economy: $2.3T | China Economy: $1,230 billion
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: 615,000 | China Economy: 1,542,000
United States Economy: $27.4 trillion | China Economy: $28.3 trillion
United States Economy: 8.2% | China Economy: 14.8%
United States Economy: $28.0 trillion | China Economy: $35.5 trillion
United States Economy: -$773 billion (deficit) | China Economy: +$632 billion (surplus)
United States Economy: $285 billion | China Economy: $189 billion
United States Economy: 2.5% | China Economy: 5.1%
United States Economy: -$73.1 billion | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: +0.4% (growing) | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 11% | China Economy: $4.2 trillion
United States Economy: 2.4% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $63,400 | China Economy: $11,500
United States Economy: 0.38 million | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $7.25 | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 21% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 8.7% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $809 billion | China Economy: $696 billion
United States Economy: 12.8% | China Economy: 28.4%
United States Economy: 9.8% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $42.8 trillion | China Economy: $15.2 trillion
United States Economy: 16.5% | China Economy: 28.3%
United States Economy: $7.1 trillion | China Economy: $6.8 trillion
United States Economy: 11.8% | China Economy: N/A
Foreign Direct Investment Inflows (2024)
United States Economy: $285B | China Economy: $163B
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: $285 billion | China Economy: $163 billion
United States Economy: 0.41 | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 17.3% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: -$773 billion | China Economy: +$821 billion surplus
United States Economy: 398,144 | China Economy: 687,231
United States Economy: $285 billion annually | China Economy: $163 billion
United States Economy: 170 million workers | 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: 16% | China Economy: 29%
United States Economy: 615,000 | China Economy: 1,820,000
United States Economy: 2.6% | China Economy: 0.2%
United States Economy: $130 billion | China Economy: $3.2 trillion
United States Economy: $76,398 | China Economy: $23,741
United States Economy: 11.2% | China Economy: 28.5%
United States Economy: 415,000 | China Economy: 1,200,000
United States Economy: $41.2 trillion | China Economy: $11.3 trillion
United States Economy: $120,000 | China Economy: $38,000
United States Economy: $76,398 | China Economy: $12,800
United States Economy: 680 GW | China Economy: 1,480 GW
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: $12.5 trillion | China Economy: $4.2 trillion
United States Economy: $32 trillion | China Economy: $24 trillion
United States Economy: 80% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 26% | China Economy: 17%
United States Economy: $27.9 trillion | China Economy: $31.7 trillion
United States Economy: 31% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $189 billion | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 4.2% | China Economy: 5.2%
United States Economy: 3.4% | China Economy: 2.1%
United States Economy: $68.40 | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $119 billion | China Economy: N/A
Annual GDP Growth Rate (2020-2026 Average)
United States Economy: 2.4% | China Economy: 5.1%
United States Economy: 195 companies | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 38 years | China Economy: 38.4 years
United States Economy: 285,000 | China Economy: 142,000
United States Economy: 18% | China Economy: 60%
United States Economy: 3.5% | China Economy: 2.4%
United States Economy: 3.4% | China Economy: 28%
United States Economy: 0.84 million | China Economy: 1.59 million
United States Economy: 13.3% | China Economy: 15.8%
United States Economy: 129% | China Economy: 77%
United States Economy: $840 billion | China Economy: $369 billion
United States Economy: 8.2% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 26.4% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $83,250 | China Economy: $12,720
United States Economy: $7.2 trillion | China Economy: $8.1 trillion
United States Economy: $28.2T | China Economy: $35.4T
United States Economy: 11.4% | China Economy: 29.2%
United States Economy: 3.45% | China Economy: 2.89%
United States Economy: $12.4 trillion | China Economy: $4.2 trillion
United States Economy: $28.7 trillion | China Economy: $36.7 trillion
United States Economy: $2.1 trillion | China Economy: $1.6 trillion
United States Economy: $285 billion | China Economy: $139 billion
United States Economy: 0.34 billion | China Economy: 1.4 billion
United States Economy: 1.8% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 8.1% | China Economy: 12.3%
United States Economy: 127% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $12.4 trillion | China Economy: $2.8 trillion
United States Economy: 58% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $350 billion | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 21x (S&P 500) | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 12% of global exports | China Economy: 14.2%
United States Economy: $82,100 | China Economy: $12,720
United States Economy: $2,100 billion | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $2,300 billion | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 12.1% | China Economy: 12.4%
United States Economy: 48% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $28.2T | China Economy: $17.9T
United States Economy: $86,000 | China Economy: $12,720
United States Economy: 289,000 | China Economy: 385,000
United States Economy: 2.1% | China Economy: 5.3%
United States Economy: $33.7 trillion | China Economy: $13.2 trillion
United States Economy: $28.8 trillion | China Economy: $17.9 trillion
United States Economy: 2.4% | China Economy: 0.2%
United States Economy: #1 (New York) | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $27.7 trillion | China Economy: $35.7 trillion
United States Economy: $0.13 trillion | China Economy: $3.2 trillion
United States Economy: $82,100 | China Economy: $13,100
United States Economy: 1.4% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 72.8 | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: 4.2%
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: $220 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: 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: 38.4 years
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: $1,540 billion
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: $12.3 trillion
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: 5.2%
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: 20.6%
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: $28.7T
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: $163B
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: $90 billion
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: 2.1%
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: 47%
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: $3.6 trillion
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: 0.8%
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: 1,570,000
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: +$632 billion
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: +0.4%
How to choose between United States Economy and China Economy
Compare United States Economy vs China Economy
United States Economy vs China Economy — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for United States Economy vs China Economy. Contains 360 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
United States Economy vs China Economy — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for United States Economy vs China Economy.
Which country has a stronger economy, US or China?
"Stronger" depends on the dimension. U.S. advantages: higher per capita GDP ($82,000 vs ~$13,000 China), world's reserve currency, deepest capital markets, technology and innovation leadership, strongest consumer market, and military-backed dollar hegemony. China's advantages: world's largest manufacturing economy (28% of global output), world's largest goods exporter, faster GDP growth rate (4.5-5% vs 2.5%), massive infrastructure investment capacity, and dominant position in solar, battery, and EV manufacturing. For productivity per worker, financial sector depth, and technological leadership in AI/semiconductors, the U.S. leads. For manufacturing scale and industrial policy execution, China leads.
Whether and when China's nominal GDP might surpass the U.S. has become a more contested question since 2020. Earlier projections (often from 2020-2022) suggested China could surpass U.S. nominal GDP by 2030-2035. More recent IMF and World Bank projections have pushed this timeline out to 2035-2045 or later, given China's structural headwinds: property sector crisis, deflationary pressure, demographic aging, capital outflows, and U.S. technology export restrictions that slow China's advancement in AI and semiconductors. Some economists now believe China may never surpass U.S. nominal GDP, especially if sustained growth remains at 4-5% rather than prior decades' 8-10%.
How does the US-China trade war affect consumers?
U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods (ranging from 7.5% to 145% on various categories as of 2025, significantly expanded under multiple administrations) increase prices for U.S. consumers and businesses importing Chinese-made goods. Categories with significant tariff impact include electronics, furniture, appliances, apparel, and industrial components. China's retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods hurt U.S. agricultural exporters (soybeans, pork, corn) and manufacturers selling into China. Supply chain restructuring has accelerated — companies are shifting production to Vietnam, Mexico, India, and other markets to avoid tariffs, a trend called "China+1" manufacturing strategy.
What are China's biggest economic challenges in 2026?
China faces several structural economic challenges in 2025-2026: (1) Property sector crisis — Evergrande's collapse and broader real estate deflation have impacted household wealth, local government finances (which depended on land sales for revenue), and construction employment. (2) Deflation — CPI near zero or negative reflects weak consumer demand and excess industrial capacity. (3) Demographics — the aging population and shrinking working-age cohort from the one-child policy era creates long-term labor supply and pension system challenges. (4) Youth unemployment — estimated 15-20% for urban youth, creating social strain. (5) U.S. technology restrictions — chip export controls target China's ability to produce advanced semiconductors domestically.
The United States has the larger economy by nominal GDP: approximately $27.4 trillion versus China's $17.8 trillion in 2024 — about 54% larger. By purchasing power parity (PPP), which adjusts for cost of living differences between countries, China's economy is roughly comparable in size (China PPP GDP is $34+ trillion versus U.S. $27 trillion), reflecting that goods and services are generally cheaper in China. Nominal GDP (in USD) is the standard international comparison; by that measure, the U.S. is clearly larger. China's economy has been growing approximately twice as fast as the U.S. annually, but the U.S. maintains a significant absolute size lead.
How to Choose Between United States Economy and China Economy
Nominal GDP (2024): United States Economy has $27.4 trillion, while China Economy has $17.8 trillion.
GDP Per Capita: United States Economy has $83,460, while China Economy has $12,720.
Annual GDP Growth Rate (2024): United States Economy has 2.7%, while China Economy has 5.2%.
Foreign Exchange Reserves: United States Economy has $130 billion, while China Economy has $3.2 trillion.
Consider: Manufacturing Output (% of global)
Manufacturing Output (% of global): United States Economy has 16%, while China Economy has 29%.
Unemployment Rate (2024): United States Economy has 4.0%, while China Economy has 5.2%.
Fortune 500 Companies: United States Economy has 136, while China Economy has 142.
United States Economy is better than China Economy
The U.S. economy is larger by nominal GDP at $27.4 trillion versus China's $17.8 trillion, but China has been growing faster at 5.2% annually compared to the U.S. at 2.7%, making China the world's second-largest economy while the U.S. maintains the largest. The U.S. excels in per capita wealth and t