Donald Trump has chosen economist Peter Navarro to head the newly-formed White House Trade Council, the president-elect's transition team said in a statement Wednesday.
Navarro, a professor at the University of California, Irvine, advised Trump throughout the campaign and aligns with the president-elect's hardline policy on trade with China.
"The formation of the National Trade Council further demonstrates the president-elect's determination to make American manufacturing great again and to provide every American the opportunity to work in a decent job at a decent wage," the transition team said.
Throughout his campaign, Trump proposed a stricter posture toward China. He has alluded to dismissing the "One China" policy that maintains Taiwan is not an independent nation and has threatened to impose high tariffs on Chinese imports. After he won the election, Trump angered China when he accepted a congratulatory call from Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen. He has also said he will name China a currency manipulator as president.
Navarro published a book late last year entitled "Crouching Tiger: What China's Militarism Means for the World," in which he assesses China's increasing military and economic strength. He discusses the probability of conflict between the U.S. and China and writes that Washington must maintain its military strength and stand up to Beijing.
Navarro also wrote "Death by China: How America Lost its Manufacturing Base," which was made into a documentary film.
Trump said he had read one of Navarro's books on trade "years ago," and was "impressed by the clarity of his arguments and thoroughness of his research."
Navarro supports engaging with Taiwan to assist with a submarine development program and does not wish to refer to the "One China" policy by its name, according to Reuters. However, he does not suggest that the U.S. change its position to consider Taiwan independent from the mainland. "There is no need to unnecessarily poke the Panda," he has said.
"He has presciently documented the harms inflicted by globalism on American workers, and laid out a path forward to restore our middle class. He will fulfill an essential role in my administration as a trade adviser," Trump said of Navarro.