Is the U.S. or Chinese military bigger? | U.S.-China Counterpoints

The military force of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), is the largest standing army in the world. However, the United States maintains the highest military expenditure in the world. How can Americans evaluate whether the U.S. or Chinese military is bigger?

In an interview conducted on April 15, 2024, Isaac Kardon discusses the comparative capabilities of the PLA and U.S. militaries, and how strategists evaluate the threat the PLA holds towards American territories.

U.S.-China Counterpoints explores common perspectives on the U.S.-China relationship held by those in both countries. Guided by leading experts, this series examines the facts behind common viewpoints, and the details that shape U.S.-China relations behind the headlines.

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[waichui]

You need to remember a little bit of history. In 1938, the US Army was rated just behind the Bulgarian army. Everyone knows what happened afterwards.

[tonywyli]

You are living in the past. You don't know how much the US military has deteriorated.

[PhilipWong]

The US lost its superpower status in 1971 when President Nixon suspended the convertibility of the U.S. dollar to gold, effectively ending the Bretton Woods system. The US is no longer able to keep its commitment to exchange gold and the US dollar at a fixed rate of $35 per ounce. It was financially exhausted by spending on the Space program, the Great Society program, and the Vietnam War. A nation's power is based on its economic strength. The last time the US had a positive trade balance was in 1975, according to the U.S. Trade Balance report for 1970-2023.

The US is now the world's largest debtor, reflected in its net international investment position (NIIP) of -$14.3 trillion, while China (including Hong Kong) is the world's largest creditor with a NIIP of $4.3 trillion. The last time the US had a positive NIIP was in 1988. A superpower does not borrow money from other countries to fund its military.

Who is the most powerful country in the world - the world's largest debtor or the world's largest creditor?

[tomdavis]

Well our industrial base is poor since our elitist business “leaders” moved manufacturing to China to make more money and avoid American environmental laws
Cheers

[sleepingfairyrelaxingmedit]

can we spend more money helping Americans at home? stop wasting money on the military. who cares whose navies are larger? we have more problems at home that need to be solved.

[AllegedFilms]

I love listening to this guy. Extremely well informed and he has books floating on his wall like Houdini.

[JerryFrancis-yb]

It doesn't say China by name and China has only 2 million military personnel, not 200 million. Read your Bibles and see that we will not know when Jesus will return.