Between China and America, who do you think needs who more?

Question

PLease elaborate and provide examples

Answer 1

I don't think either country needs the other primarily because we have such a vast global market to select from.

However, let's consider the following:

CHINA:
Socialist Government
Population: About 1 billion

USA:
Capitalist / Democratic Government
Population: About 300 Million

2005 US-China Imports: $243,470.1 (US Dollars)
2005 US-China Exports: $41,925.3
(The US is on track to exceed both numbers in 2006 by 15-30%)

The figures above do not necessarily mean the US is dependent on China however. If you consider the economic system of each country, our imports can be based heavily on wants, whereas the imports of China would more likely be based on needs vice wants.

It stands to reason that either the US or China could obtain such goods from another country, thus not making them dependent on each other. However it could be determined whether a country is dependent on on a certain type of import. Then the question is, what (if anything) is unique to China or the US?

Based on populations, it would seem to reason that China would have the greater need, but that could also depend on how self-sufficient they are in comparison to the US.

I think any country would want to have the financial power that the US has. But perhaps they believe they can get there by different means. So do they really need the US to get there? Perhaps only as an example to either follow or avoid.

I think the more we change our mentality from 'us versus them', to a global exchange and support system that is designed to benefit all countries who work together, I think then perhaps we will finally be on the right track.

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"...if China becomes the next superpower, you can blame discount multibillion dollar retailers in America for taking down the USA." - jane l

Why blame Walmart? They saw a need and filled it, a hallmark of the 'American Way'. Instead, consider why do people BUY from Walmart? Because they save money NOW. Why pay $200 for something you can get for $132 at Walmart? American's have spoken with their dollars, they choose to buy from the places that charge less. The REAL problem is probably more related to:
1) Cost of living in America
2) Educating the public on the effects of how they spend their dollars. The push to purchase "Made in America" items was a good start. But not enough.

Start addressing those things, and we might see that the Walmarts of the world are not the enemy, but a vehicle we can use for either goal.

Answer 2

"elaborate and provide examples"? I don't think I can do that. But just the fact that most of the things around me at the moment were made in China does suggest something.

America has seen its glory days. And since every empire falls that suggests something as well.

Answer 3

Well, I think they need us more than we need them.
To give an example: Do we REALLY need Walmart or the Dollar stores to survive in America? no. Actually, it would probably benefit america, create more manufacturing jobs and distribute the wealth contained in america more fairly.
If you think about it, if China becomes the next superpower, you can blame discount multibillion dollar retailers in America for taking down the USA.

Answer 4

They both need each other equally. That is probably the only reason that America hasn't attacked China, or put trade sanctions on them.

"To keep its credit-corruption economy going, China’s ruling party, the CCP, needs the U.S. to buy Chinese exports at a rate that keeps its economy growing fast enough to keep its new entrepreneur class growing and supporting the regime."

"Meanwhile, the U.S. needs cheap imports from China to balance out the inflation created by its asset-speculation based economy. Lacking cash savings, U.S. consumers cannot buy Chinese exports except with credit. To get access to credit, U.S. consumers need low interest rates. Thanks primarily to China now, and Japan and the UK in the recent past, purchases of U.S. treasury debt keeps U.S. interest rates low, allowing North Americans to re-finance their homes to free up cash to pay for hammers and nails at Made in PRC."

"Other nations actually purchase that debt, in the form of U.S. Treasury bonds and notes. Those bonds have increasingly been snapped up not just by private investors but by foreign banks. Japanese investors hold the most U.S. debt, but China has been buying more than any other country in recent months.

The biggest trade deficit is with China, too, at $162 billion. Japan is next, at $75 billion. "

Answer 5

both countries take a lot from each other.. but currently .. the US is a huge consumer of goods, and the chinese are a huge supplier of cheap labor.. I do not expect this balance to last long.. China has a huge population and as they start to earn and spend money, every country is going to need China.

Answer 6

WHO or The World Health Organization is the United Nations specialized agency for health.
See WHO in China in
http://www.wpro.who.int/china/about_us/about_who_in_china.htm
See WHO in USA in
http://www.who.int/countries/usa/en/index.html
As you see China needs WHO more.

Answer 7

China needs America, as the U.S. is the largest market for products that they make.

America doesn't need China at all. We can always have our crappy merchandise made in Taiwan or Singapore.

Answer 8

If both Countries banned each others goods from their respective States, which do you you think would still be an industrial Nation in Ten years time.

There is only one answer. The U.S.

Answer 9

Well in 2005 we exported 41,925.3 million dollars in goods. We imported 243,470.1 million dollars in goods. We have a better government but we still need China far more then they need us.

Answer 10

Neither needs either. They both want to exploit each other but that is about as far as it goes.