Clearly the US has huge power and influence. Arguably, it's influence globally is less than say that enjoyed by the British Empire at it's peak.
On the other hand, past Empires had a lot more latitude. The US has a lot of military power but it's more hobbled than most previous empires in its use, both politically, economically and on equality. At the height of the British or Roman Empires they ruled by force, and had few limits on them for a period of time, US faces huge limits, and indeed it's no surprise recent think tanks have projected it's influence actually reducing.
Maybe we should just agree that, respective to their times, the British and Roman Empires (plus some others I won't drag in) were the biggest examples of true, Imperial, imposing their will and rule on others Empires, while the US (although in many ways similar to an Empire) although theoretically more powerful in some ways, operates in a world that constrains it far more, and also, by it's own nature, tends to be more inward focused vs outward.
Try to be reasonable... its easier than you think...
