Peter Navarro, who recently concluded a prison sentence for non-compliance with a congressional subpoena issued on January 6, has been appointed by President-elect Donald Trump as his senior counselor for trade and manufacturing. This announcement was made on Wednesday.
Navarro, aged 75, will reassume a role akin to the one he held during Trump’s initial administration, where he played a significant part in shaping critical trade policies. This appointment follows Navarro’s completion of a four-month prison sentence for his refusal to cooperate with a House committee’s investigation into the attack on the Capitol.
Regarding the appointment, Trump stated on Truth Social, “I am pleased to announce that Peter Navarro, a man who was treated horribly by the Deep State, or whatever else you would like to call it, will serve as my senior counselor for trade and manufacturing.”
During Trump’s first term in office, Navarro held the position of a White House trade advisor. Known as an adamant China hawk, he advocated for protective tariffs. Navarro was instrumental in the implementation of Trump’s “Buy American, Hire American” policies and the renegotiation of trade agreements such as NAFTA and the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement.
In September 2023, Navarro was convicted on two counts of contempt of Congress for his refusal to testify before the House Select Committee, which was investigating the events of January 6. He was sentenced to four months in prison and fined $9,500.
Trump’s decision to appoint Navarro is indicative of his sustained emphasis on protectionist trade policies. Trump has expressed his intention to impose tariffs of 25% on trading partners such as Canada and Mexico. Additionally, he has hinted at potential duties of 100% on Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa if they opt for alternatives to the U.S. dollar.
Despite their efforts, Navarro’s legal team was unable to successfully overturn his conviction at the Supreme Court. They argued that his prosecution was an infringement on executive privilege and the separation of powers. However, the appeals court ruled that Trump had not formally invoked executive privilege in relation to Navarro’s testimony.
