Ranked: The World’s Best Countries at Reading in 2026

Does Your State Trade More With China or the EU?

China and the European Union are two of America’s biggest trading partners, but their influence looks very different from state to state.

This U.S. map highlights which states trade more with China versus the European Union, using 2025 data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Only goods trade is included; trade in services is excluded.

A Trade War on Two Fronts

Within months of the start of President Donald Trump’s second term, the U.S. announced sweeping tariffs on dozens of economies, including major trading partners such as China and the EU.

The U.S. initially announced a 34% reciprocal tariff on Chinese goods in April 2025, which was later raised above 100% amid retaliatory measures before being reduced. Against that backdrop, U.S.-China trade fell 29% from the previous year.

The table below lists U.S. states based on whether they traded more with China or the EU in 2025.

Four states shifted to trading more with the EU than China in 2025: Alaska, Illinois, Oregon, and Wyoming. They joined 41 other states and Washington, D.C., in the EU-oriented group.

With Illinois switching sides, every state east of the Mississippi River now trades more with the EU than with China.

How EU Trade Gained Ground

The EU was also subject to the so-called “Liberation Day” tariffs, initially facing a 20% reciprocal tariff. Following negotiations between the U.S. and European Commission, the two sides announced a trade deal in July 2025 that capped most U.S. tariffs on EU goods at 15%.

Over the full year, U.S.-China goods trade declined by more than a quarter, while total EU-U.S. trade increased from 2024.

The states trading the most with the EU were Texas ($114 billion), Indiana ($110 billion), and California ($67 billion). Indiana stands out in particular, with the EU accounting for about half of its goods trade, supported by the state’s large pharmaceutical industry and companies such as Eli Lilly.

The Five States Still Oriented Toward China

Only California, Nevada, New Mexico, South Dakota, and Washington traded more with China than with the European Union in 2025.

California led by a wide margin, recording more than $86 billion in two-way goods trade with China.

The five states have distinct industries that help explain their trade ties with China. These include California’s port-driven electronics imports, aerospace exports from Washington, and semiconductor production in New Mexico.

Learn More on the Voronoi App

To see how transatlantic trade ties are expanding, check out Revitalized U.S. Role in EU Trade since the Mid-2010s on Voronoi.

Which Major Economies Are Growing Fastest in 2026?

Despite geopolitical conflicts and supply chain disruptions, the global economy is forecast to grow by 3% in 2026. Among major economies, however, growth rates vary considerably.

This visualization ranks Group of 20 (G20) members by their projected real gross domestic product (GDP) growth in 2026, using the latest projections from the International Monetary Fund’s World Economic Outlook. Real GDP growth adjusts for inflation, providing a clearer measure of changes in economic output.

The African Union, a G20 member since 2023, has been excluded because the political union does not have a single economy or common market.

Asia’s Emerging Market Champions

Asia dominates the top of the ranking. India, the world’s most populous country, leads with projected growth of 6.4%, followed by Indonesia at 5.0% and China at 4.6%.

These strong growth forecasts help explain how India is projected to rise from the world’s sixth-largest economy in 2026 to the third-largest by 2031. Jamie Dimon, head of the world’s largest bank, has also predicted that the Indian economy could triple in size over the next decade.

The table below ranks G20 members by their forecast real GDP growth rate in 2026.

India’s economic growth has been supported by strong public investment alongside steady consumer spending. Indonesia, meanwhile, has leveraged its resource endowments and high commodity prices to expand local processing and infrastructure.

China, the largest economy of the three, also has the most mature market. Its 4.6% growth forecast reflects a slower pace than in previous decades amid weakness in the property sector and growing demographic pressures.

Another Slow Year in Europe

Europe occupies much of the lower end of the ranking. The 27-member European Union is projected to grow by 1.2% in 2026, while Russia is forecast at 1.1%. Growth within the EU is stronger in some mid-sized economies, including Poland and Spain.

Several of Europe’s largest economies are expected to grow by less than 1% in real terms. The United Kingdom is forecast at 1.0%, followed by Germany at 0.7% and France at 0.6%. Italy’s 0.5% growth forecast is the lowest across the G20.

Several factors are weighing on European growth prospects, including energy costs and a fragmented capital landscape that can make it more difficult for businesses to expand across borders.

Slow growth also puts pressure on government finances. Many of Europe’s largest economies continue to run sizable budget deficits, making it more difficult to balance spending priorities without adding to borrowing.

What’s Supporting U.S. Growth?

The United States is forecast to grow by 2.3% in 2026, putting it ahead of the other major developed economies in the ranking despite headwinds including trade pressures and persistent inflation.

One factor supporting growth is continued investment in artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure. Large-scale spending on technology and data centers is helping support capital investment as other parts of the economy face external pressures.

Between 2025 and 2032, annual AI infrastructure spending is projected to approach 4% of U.S. GDP. The scale of this investment exceeds that of many past infrastructure booms, while also increasing the economy’s exposure to continued spending in the sector.

Learn More on the Voronoi App

To see how these growth figures compare with government debt levels, check out Government Debt to GDP Around the World in 2025 on Voronoi.