Invest Like the Best with Patrick O'Shaughnessy

Dan Wang - The US vs China In The 21st Century - [Invest Like the Best, EP.444]

355 snips
Oct 16, 2025
Guest
Dan Wang
In this discussion, technology analyst Dan Wang, an authority on U.S.–China dynamics and author of *Breakneck*, shares insights from his six years in China. He reveals the stark realities of U.S. manufacturing versus China’s rapid innovation, emphasizing that the latter’s societal structure allows for swift execution of large-scale projects. Dan also addresses the 'ByteDance problem,' explaining why Chinese firms are undervalued in global markets due to political risks. Throughout, he explores the cultural and operational differences that define both superpowers.
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INSIGHT

Engineering State Executes Relentlessly

  • China treats society and infrastructure as engineering projects, willing to reorder lives to achieve large-scale builds.
  • That engineering mindset enables rapid execution but risks social cost and repression.
INSIGHT

China Turns Sparks Into Prairie Fires

  • China leverages manufacturing scale to climb technological ladders after others create initial inventions.
  • Dan Wang: China waits for American sparks, then becomes the prairie fire by industrializing and iterating rapidly.
ADVICE

Treat Manufacturing As A Political Project

  • Americans should treat manufacturing as a political and strategic priority, not just a market decision.
  • Prioritize rebuilding manufacturing capacity and accept it as core to national power.
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