Donald Trump picks fierce China critic Peter Navarro to lead trade office

Donald Trump
AFP/Getty Images
Michael Howie22 December 2016

Donald Trump has picked a hardline economist who has written a book called “Death by China” to head his new trade body.

Peter Navarro will lead the White House National Trade Council. He is a fierce critic of Beijing who has repeatedly warned of the threat China poses to America’s economy.

The 67-year-old is a professor at University of California and advised Mr Trump during the campaign.

His books include “Death by China: How America Lost its Manufacturing Base”, which was made into a documentary film.

Mr Navarro has also highlighted concerns over environmental issues related to Chinese imports and the theft of US intellectual property.

Last night the President-elect’s transition team hailed the academic as a “visionary” economist who would “develop trade policies that shrink our trade deficit, expand our growth, and help stop the exodus of jobs from our shores”.

The billionaire Republican made trade a centrepiece of his presidential campaign and railed against “bad deals” he claimed the US had made with other countries.

He has singled out China in particular — threatening to slap high tariffs on imports from the Asian superpower once he takes office next month.

Mr Trump has already angered Beijing by speaking to the Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen on the phone, in violation of the decades-long “One China” policy.

He has also criticised China in outbursts on Twitter, recently accusing it of devaluing its currency to impede US competition.

Following the appointment of Mr Navarro, Beijing said it was paying close attention to Mr Trump’s transition team and its possible direction.

“Co-operation is the only correct choice. We hope the US works hard with China to maintain the healthy, stable development of ties, including business and trade ties,” said ministry of foreign affairs spokeswoman Hua Chunying.

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