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This study is a long-term forecast of the possible and probable power struggles between the US and China. The stakes are high; which country and culture will come to dominate the global system? After briefly defining the present state of that system, I will discuss the strategic weaknesses of China and the US that could be used as powerful leverage by the other side in the coming decades. I will present four possible scenarios of the power struggle between the two world powers: harmonious cooperation, turbulent competition, a new Cold War, and open war. I argue that the first scenario is the least likely, and that a mixture of turbulent competition and a new Cold War is the most probable outcome, while recognizing the risks of open warfare that the Taiwan issue could provoke. I posit that American strategists will strengthen alliances such as NATO, Five Eyes, and the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD), and will try to build a kind of Fortress of the West. In conclusion, I argue that the Kindleberger Trap will be a long process that will continue at least until 2050. China will not be able to replace the US because its concept of power will not be sufficient; the US will keep its leading role in the global power hierarchy. However, the era of monopoly power is over and a Fortress of the West will be needed to defend the US position. Mei guo are two characters in the Chinese language with the dual meaning of “a beautiful country” and “the United States.” In contrast, Russia is designated by a character that means something dangerous and land-hungry.