A Chinese assessment distinguishes American strength from American primacy

Fudan University scholar Wu Xinbo separates three questions: whether US capabilities are growing, whether its advantage over China is narrowing, and how effectively it can shape international behavior.

He sees continuing American strengths, including leadership in AI, but argues that infrastructure constraints, manufacturing weaknesses and political choices may limit their conversion into durable power. He also treats damage to US credibility and international cooperation as a material loss, not merely a reputational embarrassment.

The paper’s key distinction is relative. A country can remain the strongest overall while facing more resistance from rivals and less automatic support from partners. Wu expects the United States to remain a major power but disputes the feasibility of preserving unchallenged hegemony.

This is one Chinese scholar’s strategic interpretation, not an official statement or a neutral forecast. Its value is in making explicit how perceived changes in the balance of power can encourage Chinese confidence and alter bargaining behavior, including during trade negotiations.