Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Nearly 250 years after its founding, the United States is the world’s most competitive economy. With just 4 percent of the world’s population, the country generates more than a quarter of global GDP and is home to more than half of the world’s top 100 companies by market capitalization. But with AI redefining industries and geopolitics reshaping supply chains, what will it take for the country to maintain its historical lead?
During a McKinsey Live webinar, senior partners Eric Kutcher and Olivia White discuss the US history of reinvention and the challenges and opportunities ahead.
**Chapters**
0:00 - Welcome
3:01 - The US is an economic powerhouse
4:50 - US competitiveness has been defined by dynamic, market-leading firms over time
6:31 - Competitiveness will require more technological depth and innovation
10:07 - Some historical competitive advantages are becoming liabilities
15:19 - The prerequisites for securing competitiveness in the next era
19:34 - Debt and sustained long-term investment
23:30 - New and improved infrastructure
26:20 - Q&A
29:51 - Wrap-up
- Learn more about McKinsey Live webinars and register for upcoming sessions: mckinsey.com/live
- Explore past webinars: mck.co/McKinseyLivePlaylist
- Subscribe to our channel: mck.co/YouTube
- Subscribe to our newsletters: mck.co/Subscribe
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See mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information.
Nearly 250 years after its founding, the United States is the world’s most competitive economy. With just 4 percent of the world’s population, the country generates more than a quarter of global GDP and is home to more than half of the world’s top 100 companies by market capitalization. But with AI redefining industries and geopolitics reshaping supply chains, what will it take for the country to maintain its historical lead?
During a McKinsey Live webinar, senior partners Eric Kutcher and Olivia White discuss the US history of reinvention and the challenges and opportunities ahead.
**Chapters**
0:00 - Welcome
3:01 - The US is an economic powerhouse
4:50 - US competitiveness has been defined by dynamic, market-leading firms over time
6:31 - Competitiveness will require more technological depth and innovation
10:07 - Some historical competitive advantages are becoming liabilities
15:19 - The prerequisites for securing competitiveness in the next era
19:34 - Debt and sustained long-term investment
23:30 - New and improved infrastructure
26:20 - Q&A
29:51 - Wrap-up
- Learn more about McKinsey Live webinars and register for upcoming sessions: mckinsey.com/live
- Explore past webinars: mck.co/McKinseyLivePlaylist
- Subscribe to our channel: mck.co/YouTube
- Subscribe to our newsletters: mck.co/Subscribe
**Find us on**
Facebook: mck.co/Facebook
Twitter: mck.co/Twitter
LinkedIn: mck.co/LinkedIn
Instagram: mck.co/Instagram
See mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information.
