Vice Chair Introduction!

Hi all!

I'm Alex, one of your vice-chairs for BMUN 66, with this being my 6th year of involvement with Model UN and my second year as a chair. I'm currently a second-year at Cal, intending to major in Computer Science and Business Administration. Outside of school and Model UN, I'm a fan of reading biographies, listening to hip-hop music, and playing volleyball.

I look forward to an entire weekend of debate, collaboration and fun,

Alex

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Climate Change: Cooperation or Competition?

Hi delegates! Today I want to discuss a somewhat less glamorous facet of the US-China relationship: climate change. Although climate change is not as combative as a topic as, for example, trade wars or militaristic posturing, it is still a critical issue that is sure to see much increased attention in the upcoming years. China is the world's largest total carbon dioxide emissions producer, but the United States is second (by a fairly significant margin). And while the process hasn't been completely smooth, recent cooperation between these two superproducers paved the way to new agreements that seemed to be a promising step in cutting carbon emissions. However, as the Trump Administration took office, the US President announced that the United States would exit the 2015 Paris Protocol and his intent to undo many of Obama’s climate control initiatives, framing the agreement as undermining and damaging to the US economy. Trump’s position actually bears certain similarities t...

The Chinese Economy

Hi delegates! As we come closer to conference, it is important to keep in mind that we cannot separate economics from politics. For this blog post, I want to provide an overview of the Chinese economy - particularly the challenges for future economic growth. Although the U.S. is currently the world's largest economy, a new study by PriceWaterhouse Coopers forecasts that China and India will be the two largest economies in the world by 2050. China was the world's largest economy in 1820 and is the second largest economy today (the largest if measured in PPP terms). Since 2010, the PRC is the world's largest exporter and the second largest importer of merchandise goods. It has experienced an average GDP growth of close to 10% per year until 2014. By 2030, China is expected to retake its place as the largest economy in the world. The facts above, however, paint a rosy picture of the Chinese economy. Debt Sustainability China's addiction to debt has significan...

Geo-political Considerations for the US and China

Hello delegates! While internal politics can be extremely interesting to focus on, you must keep in mind that there is a larger geo-political framework that effects US-China relations. Through this blog post, I want to highlight popular opinions that the US is losing critical influence in the region to China. America’s historically steadfast allies in modern times—Australia, Japan and South Korea—are losing faith in America’s ability and willingness to be a crucial actor in the politics of the region. According to a Gallup poll , after a year into Donald Trump’s presidency the image of US leadership in the world has dropped to a new low (median approval of US leadership across 134 countries and areas stands at 30%). Although no drastic material changes in military assets or economic policies have taken place in the last year, President Trump’s “America First” rhetoric has seem to have had a deep and lasting effect on the perception of America in the region. This can s...

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