because of their imploding economy and population (some estimates put it as low as 400million)
You have to stop believing absurdities. Their economy is strong and manufacturing center, but 400M would give them 2x the number of cars per capita than US, as well as double GDP/capita and 5x PPP GDP per capita. Russia is a military peer to US, and has passed Germany and Japan to be 4th in PPP GDP.
If this happened just a few years later, the US’s relative position in the world would’ve been twice as strong, so we’re lucky it’s happening now since the rest of the world has the power to resist effectively.
US has been on a decline path. Accounting tricks (mainly owner’s equivalent rent) is 15% of GDP, and healthcare 5% of GDP higher than any other country. Manufacturing decline too. Overconfidence in its own (yours?) disinformation and strength explains their current behaviour. It is certain that they would have/will be relatively weaker in 4 years.
You have to stop believing absurdities. Their economy is strong and manufacturing center, but 400M would give them 2x the number of cars per capita than US, as well as double GDP/capita and 5x PPP GDP per capita. Russia is a military peer to US, and has passed Germany and Japan to be 4th in PPP GDP.
US has been on a decline path. Accounting tricks (mainly owner’s equivalent rent) is 15% of GDP, and healthcare 5% of GDP higher than any other country. Manufacturing decline too. Overconfidence in its own (yours?) disinformation and strength explains their current behaviour. It is certain that they would have/will be relatively weaker in 4 years.