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“Clash of the Superpowers: America vs China” is produced by acclaimed filmmaker Norma Percy and traces how Washington and Beijing have become locked in a battle for global power and influence since Donald Trump’s first term.
You can watch “Clash of the Superpowers: America vs China” online from anywhere with a VPN (try risk-free) – and potentially for free.
- Release Date — Monday 23 March
- WATCH FREE — BBC iPlayer (U.K.)
- Watch anywhere — try NordVPN 100% risk free
The documentary is set against a backdrop of intense strategic competition that has defined the early 2020s. Many experts now describe the US–China rivalry as a new kind of cold war, driven by technological races in areas such as AI and quantum computing, and by deep economic interdependence, which makes it very different from the original US–Soviet stand-off.
Series producer Norma Percy is renowned for her access-led filmmaking style, and her involvement here signals a move away from broad commentary towards specific, high-level testimony from people who were actually in the room for key decisions.
Despite the difficulty of securing interviews in Beijing, the team has gathered insights from Chinese state counsellors and academics, offering a rare inside track on Beijing’s thinking, alongside heavyweight US voices including Nancy Pelosi and Jake Sullivan.
Below, we’ll explain how to stream “Clash of the Superpowers: America vs China” online – plus how to watch from anywhere with a VPN if you’re travelling outside the UK.
Watch 'Clash of the Superpowers: America vs China' for free in the U.K.
'Clash of the Superpowers: America vs China' is an exclusive BBC documentary that you will be able to stream for free through BBC iPlayer.
For terrestrial viewers it arrives on BBC Two at 9 p.m. on Monday 23 March.
Outside the U.K. today? NordVPN can unlock your free stream — more on that below.
Watch 'Clash of the Superpowers: America vs China' from anywhere
Travelling and can’t access BBC iPlayer as you usually would? A VPN (virtual private network) can make your device appear to be back in your home country, so you can keep using your existing subscriptions while you’re abroad.
We’ve tested plenty of services, and NordVPN is our top pick for streaming thanks to its speed, reliability, and broad device support. It also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Using a VPN is simple.
1. Install the VPN app on the device you’ll watch on. NordVPN is our pick.
2. Connect to a server in your home country. For example, choose a UK server to access BBC iPlayer while abroad.
3. Open your streaming app and play as normal.
Can you watch 'Clash of the Superpowers: America vs China' outside the UK?
As of March 2026, there’s no confirmed international broadcaster or streaming service for “Clash of the Superpowers: America vs China”. That doesn’t mean it won’t arrive in the US or other countries later. International deals for major BBC documentaries are often announced after the UK premiere, so it’s worth keeping an eye out for updates.
If you’re a UK resident travelling abroad, you can still access your usual BBC iPlayer account by using a VPN such as NordVPN.
What is “Clash of the Superpowers: America vs China” about?
It tracks the escalating rivalry between the US and China over the last decade, from Donald Trump’s first term in 2017 through the trade wars and the current geopolitical tensions.
Who appears in “Clash of the Superpowers: America vs China”?
The documentary features interviews with Nancy Pelosi (former Speaker of the House), Jake Sullivan (US National Security Adviser), and former National Security Advisers H.R. McMaster and John Bolton.
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