High-speed rail has captured the public imagination, becoming a key benchmark for comparison between China and the U.S.. Observers point to its widespread ubiquity in the former and absence in the latter as a reflection of broader developmental trajectories.

The Shanghai Maglev (short for "magnetic levitation") train, with speeds of up to 268 mph, is one of many “super-trains” seemingly backing the claim that China is “living in the future” in 2025. However, the topic may turn out to be a case of comparing apples to oranges, due to structural differences in governance, geography and transportation culture.

Building a high-speed transportation network — a large-scale infrastructure project requiring massive federal investment — would pose a significant challenge to the U.S. economy. The California High-Speed Rail currently underway, for instance, was predicted to require $33 billion in funding but has now reached an estimate of $113 billion. Among the many repercussions soon to be realized, however, one stands out as particularly overlooked.

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