"The challenge to our national economies and the collective economy of Europe will become - with the growth of China and the continuing productivity growth of the US - even more intense in the decades to come"

This quote by John Hutton talks to the increasing competitors in the international economy. As China continues to grow and the US preserves its performance, the obstacle to nationwide economies and the cumulative economy of Europe will end up being more extreme. This suggests that countries need to be prepared to compete in an international market, and should be willing to innovate and invest in their own economies in order to stay competitive. This could mean investing in new technologies, establishing brand-new services and products, and producing new markets. It also implies that countries should be prepared to comply with each other in order to optimize their cumulative economic potential. Ultimately, this quote talks to the importance of international cooperation and competitors in order to ensure economic success in the decades to come.