Which is more likely: the U.S. and China face off in WW3, or the U.S. and China work together in WW3?

Question

Assuming that war precipitates from economic incentive, the possibility of China and America going to war still bewilders me. Our economies are so intertwined and interdependent upon foreign direct investment and supply of consumer goods that it wouldn't be advantageous for either side to engage the other in military conflict. Also, although oil will be practically depleted within the next 80 years and our treasuries (and currencies) are incredibly vulnerable to each other's fiscal and monetary policy (as well as private finances), our countries can certainly overcome the threatening energy crisis, environmental dangers, and economic disasters through cooperation.

Answer 1

It'll be an allied fight with China and US taking on Russia and North Korea.

Answer 2

Well to cut a long story short I think any nation would want to work together especially when mineral resources are involved. But the problem is that nations,,especially SUPERPOWERS have a culture and a way of life that they wan to maintain and subduing the other seems a better idea than partnering up.

I dont think China and America will work together ideologically both nations are different this includes their politics and social values.

If anything you are more likely to see a China and Russia and or Iran or some arab country joining forces against America.

America Britain Australia France Germany and other Western EU copuntries would side with America. I dont know where Africa,Australia and Canada would fall in all of this though.

Answer 3

There was only one world war. It started in 1914 and has not ended.
The more palpable version you suggest is likely to be something more fractured than what we realized in the 40's.

It has started. The US has not one person on the political horizon who will deploy troops as Bush did in Iraq and Afghanistan. They just won't risk being treated the way he has, the people are divided and don't have the stomach for long drawn out police work by the military. The economy could sustain it but, not at this rate. The mere presence of the US military in places like Korea, Japan, Germany, Italy, Diego Garcia, the Philippines and the like is just not enough anymore because all the pocket dictators are aware that the Democrats will either prevent the use of the military or marginalize it. Hugo Chavez, Rafael Correa, and Juan Evo Morales Ayma are good examples. The only sensible thing to do will be to withdraw, not only from Iraq but, everywhere and hunker down.
Domestic issues in the US are paramount now. Nobody wants to spend on adventure. NATO will have to take a greater role in places like Turkey and the Balkans and decide what they'll do to keep access to oil at a price that won't break them without the ability to leverage the US into doing their wet work. All the little states will begin to mobilize their militaries to threaten one another. Then you will have your WWIII.
The South American commies have their eyes on Chile. Chile has the world's best supply of salt petere. The Haber Bosch process demands it for the production of fertilizer and munitions. Once the oil begins to become harder to get because of geo-politics or 'drying-up', they will slowly become the new Saudi Arabia.
I don't think the Chinese have the stake you say they do. They are content for now to steal oil from Africa and the world is giving them a pass. I don't think they care one bit about the environment. They have never demonstrated that concern before. Their military is huge no doubt but, they have no real ability to extend it beyond their border or contiguous states. They have state of the art submarines and some surface vessels that exist solely for the purpose of sinking air craft carriers but no heavy transport. If they were to depoly abroad, most of their force will be sacrificed in the first push for lack of logistics.
The US is a large cumbersome force built for symmetrical warfare. The move to re-tool for asymmetrical warfare (war on terror) is slowly being stymied by Democratic leadership legislating the capability away.
No, the US may go back to the same isolated position that it was in prior to Pearl Harbor reduced to a lend lease posture until the enemy is consolidated and there can be a conventional war.
Not likely to happen.
The little conflicts will consume one or the other and we will make a deal with the last man standing.

Answer 4

There is almost zero chance that China and the US would go to war at this point in time. First of all, why would we? The two biggest powers in the world. Relations between the US and China have been respectable and they outnumber us by a large number. Easy answer, zero chance so if there was a World War 3, it would have to be quite serious and China and the US would be on the same side

Answer 5

The only scenario that I see where the US could see incentive in going to war with China would be to renege on paying the debt we owe them for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Clearly if China is no longer around, we have no one to pay a debt to. I don't see this scenario as the least bit likely as it will mark a new era for America, when it starts attacking its allies over greed for money. Not the least bit American at all.

Sure we can get through the coming challenges as allies, in fact with the way the US and China operate individually today, they do a lot to strengthen each other's standing.

Answer 6

Both countries are involved in the middle east. The price of oil is going up because China's economy is growing rapidly. When you have countries economies fall into recession along with a combination of radicals blow things up (especially Isreal) you have the potential for what is said in the bible. Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. Regardless of how it plays out, the middle east is where it all happens. And Jereselum is going to be at the center of it all.

Answer 7

China has more neighbors than any other country and more territorial disputes.

Personally I have been hoping the Chinese blast the Japanese off the face of the earth for WWII payback. The Japanese are still so smug about the whole thing.

I think the US won't take China's side.

Answer 8

Although I found it very unlikely I think it would be China and America fighting. there is still a territorial dispute with Taiwan which America has promised to protect and China has promised to attack if it moves further towards independence.

Answer 9

It will be the world vs. the United States, and it will be because countries are starting to trade more with each other than the United States. We could have Britain and possibly Germany on our side.

Answer 10

have to agree with scorch.....if there is another "World War" it will be a unified group of countries against the USA because many are tired of the USA dictating what everyone else can and cannot due.