Last year, the US created 19.9 per cent of world manufacturing output, compared with 18.6 per cent for China, with the US staying ahead despite a steep fall in factory production due to the global recession. ...However, a relatively resilient US performance kept China in second place, says IHS, which predicts that faster growth in China will deny the US the top spot next year.
The US became the world’s biggest manufacturer in the late 1890s, edging the then-incumbent – Britain – into the number two position.
Obama science czar John Holdren's prophecy is realized: the U.S. is no longer no. 1.