As of publication (~2021): US leads on Empire Score (0.87) but China leads on GDP share (PPP-adjusted, 23% vs US 17%). The Eurozone trails significantly on both (0.55 score, 13% GDP). China’s GDP dominance combined with its lower empire score (0.75) reflects its still-limited financial center and reserve currency status — consistent with the archetype where real-economy strength precedes financial/reserve currency status by decades. The US is the incumbent; China is the challenger that has already surpassed the US on PPP-adjusted GDP.