In recent years, there has been a growing narrative suggesting that the United States is experiencing a decline. This perspective frames America's dominance as a unipolar superpower coming to an end and posits the emergence of a multipolar world, with Asia, particularly China, becoming the new epicenter of global power.

When examining the timeline of America's perceived weakening, opinions vary. Some attribute this decline to the onset of the War on Terror around two decades ago, while others point to the 2008 financial crisis as a significant turning point. Yet, there are those who believe that the true moment of decline began with the hasty U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. More recently, a poignant remark from a Chinese official asserting that "the U.S. has no right to speak to China from a position of strength" has also gained attention as a symbolic marker of changing dynamics.

When analyzing whether America has genuinely weakened compared to its own historical performance, the notion of strength and weakness becomes a relative concept. Two dimensions must be considered: a comparison with America's past and with other nations. In the context of its own history, the U.S. is currently witnessing unprecedented strength. Economic indicators such as GDP continue to rise, and technological advancements are at an all-time high. On this front, America appears to be thriving.

To showcase this growth, consider the trajectory of the U.S. GDP over the past few decades. In 1991, the U.S. GDP was approximately $6.2 trillion, with a per capita income of $24,000. Moving forward to 2001, the GDP had surged to $10.6 trillion, with per capita income reaching $37,000. By 2011, the GDP hit $15.5 trillion, elevating per capita income to $50,000. Fast forward to 2021, the GDP soared to $23 trillion, with a per capita income of $69,000.

Over the past thirty years, GDP growth figures have been remarkable: 71% for the 1991 to 2001 period, 46% from 2001 to 2011, and 48% from 2011 to 2021. This consistent growth, averaging approximately 50% per decade, suggests that rather than weakening, America is on a trajectory of increasing strength.

However, it’s essential to evaluate America's global position in relation to other countries. The dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 marked a significant point in history, making the subsequent three decades a period where the U.S. stood largely unchallenged. In retrospect, the following years saw Russia in a weakened state, Japan entering a prolonged economic stagnation, and the European Union still in its infancy regarding economic integration, with China in the early stages of development.

To emphasize this point, when we examine Japan’s economy—once the world's second-largest—we find that its economic progress has stagnated over the past thirty years. The GDP of Japan grew from $3.6 trillion in 1991 to $4.9 trillion in 2021, yet its proportion of the U.S. GDP dwindled from 58% in 1991 to a mere 21% by 2021. This trajectory illustrates that while the U.S. has continued to expand, Japan's position has indeed weakened significantly.

The story of the European Union is similar. For a considerable part of the last thirty years, it was seen as an economic bloc capable of rivaling the U.S. In 1991, the EU's GDP was already 8% higher than that of the U.S. However, as the years progressed, the EU faced economic stagnation, with the U.S. surpassing it around 2000. By 2008, the EU's GDP briefly regained the upper hand, exceeding the U.S. GDP by 10%. Yet, this victory was short-lived as the EU succumbed to the debt crisis that followed, dropping to 73% of the U.S. GDP by 2021.

Current tensions arising from war and inflation further complicate the EU's economic situation. Historical patterns show that when the U.S. encounters economic challenges, the EU often finds itself in dire straits as well. For example, the bursting of the dot-com bubble in 2000 triggered a recession in Europe. Similarly, the 2008 subprime mortgage crisis led to the EU's debt crisis. Present-day challenges posed by the pandemic and ongoing conflicts indicate that the EU may once again be on the brink of economic turmoil.

Despite these challenges, when measuring the strength of the U.S. economy against its own history and major economies like Japan and the European Union, the U.S. emerges as more robust than ever. The world’s largest corporations are predominantly American, with little competition from smaller economic entities such as India, South Korea, and the ASEAN nations.

Examining the global GDP landscape, America's share has remained relatively stable. In 1991, the U.S. accounted for 25.7% of global GDP, which slightly decreased to 24.7% in 2020. Over the past three decades, the U.S.'s GDP share has fluctuated, achieving its peak of 31.6% in 2001 and its lowest at 21.2% in 2011, but has generally stabilized around a quarter of the world's total economic output.

The perceived decline of U.S. strength largely stems from China's meteoric rise. In 1991, China contributed a mere $0.38 trillion to global GDP—just 6% of the U.S. total. By comparison, the GDP of the EU was comparable to that of the U.S., and Japan held a significant 58%. Today, the scales have dramatically shifted.

To visualize this, consider the context of a nation currently accounting for only 6% of global GDP—which mirrors China’s position in 1991. With 2021 GDP stats showing China at $17.7 trillion, countries like the Netherlands, Iran, and Indonesia fall into the category of economies with roughly $1 trillion GDP. Comparing their significance today reflects how the U.S. perceived China three decades ago—as almost negligible.

Nonetheless, fueled by the hard work and relentless efforts of its population, China has scaled heights previously unimaginable. Through a designated focus on low-end industries for survival, mid-range industries for improved living standards, and high-end industries for a better quality of life, China has blossomed. By 2021, it surpassed historical economic powers such as Japan, Germany, the UK, and France, with only the U.S. remaining slightly ahead, albeit with a closing gap.

The shift of economic focus toward Asia is not fleeting. In the coming decade, India is projected to surpass Japan, solidifying its position as the third-largest global economy. This evolution indicates a future where the top five economies might be China, the U.S., India, Japan, and Germany, showcasing Asia's increasing clout with three nations in the top ranks.

Looking ahead, drawing from the historical resiliency, geographical advantages, demographic factors, and natural resources, it is reasonable to assert that the U.S. will remain one of the foremost global powers, even a century from now.