In the recent T+D article, “The United States and China: Western Power and Eastern Ascendancy,” ASTD staff analyze the shift in economic “super power” status from the United States to China. Since the recession of 2008, the United States has seen steady economic decline, while China has experienced a steady increase over the same period of time, despite eerily similar workforce and labor laws. In this article ASTD staff used the recent U.S/China Media Brief released by The Asian American Studies Center at the University of California Los Angeles; where researchers analyze key issues such as job losses, migrant workers, unions, and the future of each country.

Excerpt taken directly from “The United States and China: Western Power and Eastern Ascendancy” by ASTD staff:

The global recession of 2008 shifted the balance of economic power worldwide as many Western nations, including the United States, were overwhelmed by debt crises, bailouts, and increasing unemployment. Meanwhile, China, the Eastern superpower, enjoyed continued economic growth and in 2010 became the world's second largest economy.

To explore this issue further, please read “The United States and China: Western Power and Eastern Ascendancy.”