Alt causes – US’s declining heg not because of tech race – China’s booming industrial capacity, alliances, and trade determine hegemony

The United States has been the most significant global power in the international sphere. With the globe’s largest economy, the US dominates in finance, military, leadership, business, and international trade and institutions. However, the presence of American hegemony has been slowly declining with a shift of power balances in the international system from Western supremacy to East Asian ascendancy. The East Asian region has become the most important economic area in the world. The US’ top competitor, China, has made milestones in its economic, military, diplomatic, and technological power. Currently, China is the leading international exporter of goods, surpassing the US a few years prior. In the last decade, China has made monumental strides in integrating itself into the international system through geopolitical blocs, the Belt and Road initiative, establishing institutions in other regions, and increasing its industrial capacity. It is likely that by the 22nd century, China and the East Asian region will have overcome Europe and the bulk of Africa if their strategies continue to move undisturbed, ultimately leading to Chinese hegemony. To what extent are the economic pursuits of China facilitating Chinese hegemony in Europe and eventually the international system?