U.S. vs. China — The Economic Race (1980–2025)[oc]

Data Source:

• IMF – World Economic Outlook (GDP levels and real growth rates)

• World Bank – National accounts data

• FRED – U.S. trade deficit with China

Software:

• R GGPlot2

The U.S. and China across four dimensions: nominal GDP levels, real GDP growth rates, U.S. trade deficit with China, and China’s GDP as a share of U.S. GDP. The chart illustrates China’s rapid catch-up since the early 2000s, slower recent growth, and the persistence of a large bilateral trade imbalance.