President-elect Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that Peter Navarro will serve as his Senior Counselor for Trade and Manufacturing during his second term.
Navarro, a prominent economist and trade policy advisor, gained national attention during Trump’s first administration for his staunch advocacy of “Buy American, Hire American” policies.
He also faced legal controversy, including imprisonment on contempt of Congress charges for refusing to provide documents related to communications with Trump before and after the events of January 6.
In a statement, Trump praised Navarro’s effectiveness and dedication during his first term.
“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,” Trump wrote.
“During my First Term, few were more effective or tenacious than Peter in enforcing my two sacred rules, Buy American, Hire American. He helped me renegotiate unfair trade deals like NAFTA and the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (KORUS) and moved every one of my tariff and trade actions FAST.”
Navarro, a Harvard-trained economist and author of numerous books on trade and manufacturing, played a critical role in shaping Trump’s trade policies during his first administration.
He was instrumental in renegotiating major trade agreements, such as the replacement of NAFTA with the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
Navarro also championed tariffs on Chinese goods to combat what he and Trump characterized as decades of unfair trade practices harming American industries.
In his announcement, Trump emphasized Navarro’s qualifications and track record, noting that his return to the administration would build on past successes.
“This position leverages Peter’s broad range of White House experience while harnessing his extensive policy analytic and media skills,” Trump said. “His mission will be to help successfully advance and communicate the Trump manufacturing, tariff, and trade agendas.”
Trump underscored Navarro’s expertise, calling him “a superb, Harvard-trained economist” and “a noted author of more than a dozen bestselling books on strategic business management and unfair trade.”
“Peter did a superb job for the American people in my First Term. He will do even better as Senior Counselor to protect American workers and truly Make American Manufacturing Great Again,” Trump concluded.
Navarro’s appointment follows a period of legal and political turmoil. He was sentenced to prison for contempt of Congress after refusing to comply with a subpoena from the January 6 Committee, citing executive privilege.
The charges stemmed from his refusal to hand over correspondence with then-President Trump.
Despite his legal challenges, Navarro remains a popular figure among Trump loyalists, who see him as a staunch defender of American workers and a key architect of Trump’s economic agenda.
His return signals Trump’s continued focus on trade and manufacturing as cornerstones of his second-term agenda.
Navarro’s reappointment reinforces Trump’s commitment to policies aimed at revitalizing American manufacturing and addressing global trade imbalances.
With Navarro at the helm of trade and manufacturing strategy, Trump aims to strengthen his administration’s economic legacy and deliver on promises to the American workforce.