One major differentiator between the US and China is that China traditionally / currently is not considered a good destination for foreigners / immigrants. (even Chinese people inside China from lower tier cities / countryside struggle to gain residency in top tier cities or get good jobs / benefits). Whereas the US, for all of its flailing around politically, is perceived by many people in many countries as a good place to move. So immigration is a major leverage point the US can / should use to keep the economic engine going. A working age person coming to the US and working hard is basically one of the best case scenarios -- the US tax-base did almost nothing then suddenly you have a new productive person. Contrary to tons of rhetoric, unless you have a failing business, virtually all people at your company will maintain employment if their production is more valuable than what you pay them -- so they end up being a net gain. And last time I checked, not many people come from another country with furniture, a house, a car, etc.. (so they both produce for some company, and consume likely at much higher levels than say boomers who already own virtually everything they need). So, hopefully the US doesn't lose its "mindshare" leadership around being a good destination for immigrants, because in the next 50 years we will see more and more battles for bringing immigrants to your country to make up for the low birth rates.