The world's two largest economies by gdp are america and china. After that it drops off fast. Theyre miles ahead of their closest rivals, such as japan and germany. Let's now focus on the world's second largest economy, china. China isin't troubled waters yet again. Its economy is riddled with not one, but two, multiple crises. Estimates by the i m f put america ahead of china by a full five trillion dollars Of annual output. But there's long been talk of whether or when china might take the lead.