New York Times: U.S. Cannot Compete with China Alone

In an analytical piece titled “America Can’t Compete With China Alone,” The New York Times warns that the United States can no longer counter China’s rising power without its allies.

The report highlights China’s dominance in key areas—economy, technology, and military—urging Washington to leverage the collective strength of its partners.

The article notes that China’s economy, adjusted for purchasing power, is 30% larger than America’s, with twice the manufacturing capacity and over 70% of global production in batteries, electric vehicles, and critical minerals. In technology, China leads in active patents and highly cited research.

Its navy is the world’s largest, and its shipbuilding capacity is 230 times that of the U.S. Despite domestic challenges like an aging population and high debt, China’s scale creates a qualitative edge.Criticizing isolationist policies, such as Trump’s heavy tariffs on India, the report argues they alienate potential allies, pushing them toward Beijing. For instance, India’s Modi, after facing tariffs, visited China, shifting ties toward partnership.

The U.S., allied with Europe, Japan, South Korea, Australia, India, Canada, Mexico, and Taiwan, commands twice China’s GDP and military spending. This coalition could secure markets, talent, and innovation to counter China’s coercion. Without allies, the U.S. risks losing the strategic competition.