Trump Announces Peter Navarro as Choice for Major Role

Peter Navarro, recently released from prison, has been tapped as Trump’s pick for Senior Counselor for Trade and Manufacturing, sparking controversy and raising questions about his complicated history.

At a Glance

Donald Trump announced Peter Navarro’s return as senior counselor for trade and manufacturing.
Navarro previously served as White House trade advisor and went to prison for contempt of Congress.
Trump praised Navarro for enforcing “Buy American, Hire American” policies during his first term.
Navarro’s role will focus on advancing Trump’s manufacturing, tariff, and trade agendas.
The appointment comes shortly after Navarro’s release from a four-month prison sentence.

Trump Brings Navarro Back to the Fold

In a move that has raised eyebrows across the political spectrum, former President Donald Trump has announced the return of Peter Navarro to his potential future administration. Navarro, who previously served as White House trade advisor, has been tapped for the role of Senior Counselor for Trade and Manufacturing. This appointment comes on the heels of Navarro’s recent release from a four-month prison term, which he served for defying a congressional subpoena related to the January 6 Capitol storming.

Trump’s decision to bring Navarro back into the fold underscores his commitment to his “America First” economic policies. In his announcement, Trump praised Navarro’s past performance, particularly in enforcing the “Buy American, Hire American” initiatives during his first term. The former president’s unwavering support for Navarro, despite his recent legal troubles, signals a doubling down on the trade and manufacturing policies that characterized his previous administration.

President-elect Donald Trump announced Wednesday that he has named longtime aide Peter Navarro, who served on the White House Trade Council in the first Trump administration, to be "senior counselor for trade and manufacturing." https://t.co/Y9SV3N0zuj

— CBS News (@CBSNews) December 5, 2024

Navarro’s Controversial Past and Future Role

Navarro’s appointment has not been without controversy. His recent prison sentence for contempt of Congress has made him a polarizing figure. Trump, however, has framed Navarro’s legal troubles as mistreatment by what he refers to as the “Deep State,” further solidifying Navarro’s position as a loyalist within Trump’s circle.

In his new role, Navarro’s mission will be to advance and communicate Trump’s manufacturing, tariff, and trade agendas. This appointment suggests that Trump is planning to double down on his previous economic policies, which included significant tariffs on imports and a focus on domestic manufacturing.

Implications for Future Trade Policy

Navarro’s return to a position of influence in Trump’s potential administration signals a likely continuation of aggressive trade policies. During his previous tenure, Navarro played a key role in renegotiating trade deals such as NAFTA and the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement. His appointment suggests that Trump is gearing up for another round of tough negotiations and potential trade conflicts.

Trump has already hinted at plans to impose higher tariffs on countries like Canada and Mexico over issues such as illegal fentanyl trafficking and immigration. With Navarro at the helm of trade policy, these threats could become reality, potentially reshaping North American trade relations. The appointment also raises questions about future trade relations with China, given Navarro’s historically hawkish stance on Chinese economic practices.

A New Economic Team Takes Shape

Navarro’s appointment is part of a broader reshaping of Trump’s economic team. Alongside Navarro, Trump has named Michael Faulkender as deputy Treasury secretary. Faulkender, a finance professor at the University of Maryland, previously served as assistant secretary for economic policy at the Treasury Department during Trump’s first term. This combination of academic expertise and practical experience suggests a focus on both theoretical and applied economic policy.

Other recent appointments include Scott Bessent to head the Treasury Department and Howard Lutnick for the Commerce Department. Lutnick will also oversee the country’s tariff and trade agenda, working in tandem with Navarro. These appointments collectively indicate Trump’s intention to assemble a team capable of implementing his vision of ushering in what he calls a “new golden age” for the United States.