![Dan Wang - The US vs China In The 21st Century - [Invest Like the Best, EP.444]](https://image.scripod.com/https://megaphone.imgix.net/podcasts/e1599a88-a9f6-11f0-b532-e3695bb27d60/image/0f5c07552cef2689e5834d56786ad6f1.jpg?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&max-w=3000&max-h=3000&fit=crop&auto=format,compress)
Dan Wang - The US vs China In The 21st Century - [Invest Like the Best, EP.444]
Dan Wang - The US vs China In The 21st Century - [Invest Like the Best, EP.444]
Dan Wang - The US vs China In The 21st Century - [Invest Like the Best, EP.444]
In this episode, Dan Wang, a technology analyst with deep experience in China's tech and manufacturing landscape, offers a compelling analysis of the evolving U.S.-China competition. Drawing from his book *Breakneck*, he unpacks the structural differences between the two powers that shape their technological trajectories, economic models, and societal priorities—providing investors and policymakers with a nuanced lens beyond conventional geopolitical narratives.
Dan Wang highlights a key asymmetry: while the U.S. struggles to rebuild its manufacturing capacity due to legal, political, and cultural barriers, China is rapidly advancing in scientific research and industrial execution. China’s 'high agency' society enables swift infrastructure development, EV adoption, and AI deployment in manufacturing, driven by vertical integration in firms like Huawei and BYD. In contrast, American innovation remains strong in breakthrough technologies but falters in scaling due to bureaucratic inertia. Investors face the 'ByteDance problem'—Chinese tech giants generate huge cash flows yet trade at steep discounts due to regulatory unpredictability and geopolitical risk. Despite growing decoupling in tech and finance, both nations remain central to global innovation. However, China’s lack of political liberalization and censorship limits its soft power, even as it strengthens its engineering dominance. The future may see two separate technological spheres, with the U.S. leading in service-sector AI and China in industrial automation—shaping a new era of quiet, systemic competition.
09:18
09:18
China excels in scaling technology but lacks breakthrough innovation like the U.S. garage-invention model
19:02
19:02
Technology must be viewed as both a political and aesthetic project to inspire national commitment.
22:59
22:59
Chinese and Americans are the two great sources of entrepreneurial dynamism in the world
37:29
37:29
Chinese automakers are at least three times faster than US companies in bringing new models to market.
39:11
39:11
Jack Ma's criticism triggered a government crackdown on Ant Financial
47:46
47:46
By the end of this year, half of cars sold in China will be electric, reducing foreign energy dependence.
48:34
48:34
China showed high-speed coordination among manufacturers, tech companies, and the government during COVID
52:59
52:59
The Metro North train from New Haven to New York is now slower than it was in 1914.
56:40
56:40
China studied the Soviet collapse and avoided simultaneous political and economic reforms
1:04:04
1:04:04
China excels at manufacturing and may lead in AI and vehicle-making despite censorship and capital controls.
1:13:48
1:13:48
China is automating manufacturing to produce more drones, munitions, and ships
1:15:30
1:15:30
Xiaomi launched electric SUVs and set a Nürburgring speed record while Apple abandoned its car project
1:33:24
1:33:24
Kindness is an ongoing act, not a single deed.
