Another Country More Equipped

While telling the story of Captain Durham and Ambrosia Bowden, Smith makes an general statement about Great Britain as a world power. For several decades, Britain was the Europe's greatest power, with the most influence through its colonies all over the world and it's powerful naval fleet. But after the U.S. broke away from them and followed suit after their industrial revolution, America became the number one nation. It is through Captain' Durham's realization that "it is the Americans, not the British, who have the resources to pledge serious aide, three warships full of provisions presently snaking down the coast from Cuba" (p. 300). He says, "it is a strange feeling, this powerlessness; to discover there is another country more equipped to save this little island than the English" (p 300). Whether the world could see it or not, Britain's power was slowly fading.
I can't help but make the connection between America and China today. As the 2008 elections near, it is clear that another nation is making it's way to the forefront of world powers. China, currently going through it's own industrial revolution, is quickly becoming a strong force in the world. I am wondering how United States and China's relations will continue to play out through the next president because their environmental issues, politics and especially human rights issues are so controversial. Great Britain put up a big fight to keep the title of the number one nation.. will there soon be a "another country more equipped" than the U.S.?