[mylife]

The economy is our biggest challenge and we cant piss the Chinee off.

We can however find their weakness and bargaining points.
We hold the advantage on this naval stuff.

[Cronos]

Of course the US holds the advantage in naval matters. Academically speaking if we just take the USNavy, it can go up against the navies of the Russians, Brits, French, Indians, Chinese, Japanese, Germans, Israelis, Philippines, South Koreans, Italians, Spaniards, Brazilians COMBINED and still crush them easily.

However, two things:

1. That is NOW -- we don't know what will be the situation in 2030, maybe not even 2020
2. it also takes political will besides ability.