Who is Peter Navarro (Author Death by China): Career, Books, and Net Worth
Peter Navarro will head back to the White House as a top advisor on trade and manufacturing, President-elect Donald Trump announced Wednesday on Truth Social.
Navarro is an economist who served in Trump's first administration, running a newly created National Trade Council and then the Office of Trade and Manufacturing Policy.
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Early Life and Education
Peter Kent Navarro was born on July 15, 1949, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. His father, Alfred Navarro, was a saxophonist and clarinetist in a house band, while his mother, Evelyn Littlejohn, worked as a secretary. Peter’s early life was shaped by his parents' divorce when he was nine years old. Following this, he moved with his mother to Bethesda, Maryland, and later to Florida. Despite economic challenges, Navarro excelled academically.
Navarro attended Tufts University, earning a Bachelor’s degree in 1972. Later, he pursued graduate studies at Harvard University, where he obtained a Master’s in Public Administration and a Ph.D. in Economics under the mentorship of renowned economist Richard E. Caves. His dissertation focused on energy policy, laying the groundwork for his later interest in industrial economics and trade.
Academic Career
Navarro started his professional journey as a professor, joining the faculty of the University of California, Irvine (UCI). Over more than two decades at UCI, he taught economics and public policy. His research spanned a wide range of subjects, from energy policy to macroeconomic modeling. His lectures were noted for their practical insights into economic systems, particularly how globalization affects local economies.
Political Aspirations
While teaching at UCI, Navarro made several forays into politics in San Diego, California. He ran for mayor in 1992, advancing to a runoff but losing to Susan Golding. Over the next decade, he made four other attempts at public office, including bids for the San Diego City Council and U.S. Congress, but was unsuccessful in all of them.
Though initially a registered Democrat, Navarro shifted his political ideology significantly, later embracing a more conservative stance aligned with Donald Trump’s America First agenda. This ideological pivot defined his later career in public service and trade policy.
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Key Publications and Economic Views
Navarro is a prolific author, having written numerous books on economics, trade policy, and globalization. His most notable works include:
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"Death by China: Confronting the Dragon – A Global Call to Action" (2011)
This book is perhaps Navarro’s most influential work. Co-authored with Greg Autry, it is a scathing critique of China’s trade practices, which Navarro argues have undermined U.S. manufacturing and contributed to economic instability. The book accuses China of currency manipulation, intellectual property theft, and using unfair trade practices to dominate global markets. It was later adapted into a documentary in 2012, narrated by actor Martin Sheen.
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"The Coming China Wars" (2006)
This earlier book highlights the geopolitical and economic tensions between China and the rest of the world. Navarro predicts resource conflicts, environmental degradation, and economic exploitation tied to China’s rise as a global power.
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"Crouching Tiger: What China's Militarism Means for the World" (2015)
This book examines China’s military expansion and its implications for global security.
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Other Works
Navarro has authored textbooks and trade-specific books, such as "Always a Winner" and "If It’s Raining in Brazil, Buy Starbucks." These works often emphasize economic cycles, behavioral economics, and the role of global trade.
Role in the Trump Administration
Navarro’s career reached its zenith when he became one of Donald Trump’s most trusted advisors. Navarro joined Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign as a key economic advisor, where he played a pivotal role in shaping the “America First” trade policy. Alongside Wilbur Ross, he co-authored Trump’s economic platform, which focused on protectionism, reducing trade deficits, and bringing manufacturing jobs back to the United States.
In December 2016, Trump appointed Navarro as the Director of the White House National Trade Council, a newly created position to oversee trade and industrial policy. During his tenure, he was instrumental in:
- Launching the China-U.S. Trade War: Navarro was a staunch advocate for tariffs on Chinese goods, arguing they were necessary to curb China’s unfair trade practices.
- Repatriating Supply Chains: He pushed for policies to reduce dependence on foreign supply chains, especially in critical sectors like pharmaceuticals and semiconductors.
- COVID-19 Pandemic Response: During the pandemic, Trump tasked Navarro with overseeing the implementation of the Defense Production Act. Navarro also supported controversial policies, including the promotion of hydroxychloroquine as a COVID-19 treatment, which brought him into conflict with public health officials like Dr. Anthony Fauci.
Legal Troubles and Imprisonment
In recent years, Navarro faced legal challenges stemming from his time in the Trump administration. In 2023, he was convicted of contempt of Congress for refusing to comply with a subpoena issued by the House Select Committee investigating the January 6 Capitol riot. Navarro argued that his communications with Trump were protected by executive privilege, but the courts rejected this defense. He was sentenced to 30 days in prison and a $10,000 fine, marking a dramatic fall from grace for the once-prominent economist.
Relationship with Donald Trump
Navarro's relationship with Trump has been described as both professional and personal. Unlike many advisors who fell out of favor with Trump, Navarro remained loyal throughout Trump’s presidency. His unwavering support for Trump’s trade policies and his alignment with the “Make America Great Again” vision solidified his position in Trump’s inner circle. However, Navarro’s aggressive stance on trade and his public clashes with other administration officials, like Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, created tensions within the White House.
Net Worth
As of 2024, Peter Navarro’s net worth is estimated at $5 million. His wealth comes primarily from his academic career, book royalties, and government salary during his tenure in the Trump administration.
FAQs
1. What is Peter Navarro best known for?
Navarro is best known for his role as a trade advisor in the Trump administration and his book Death by China, which critiques China’s trade policies.
2. Did Peter Navarro go to jail?
Yes, Navarro was sentenced to 30 days in jail in 2023 for contempt of Congress.
3. What are Navarro’s views on China?
Navarro is a vocal critic of China, advocating for tariffs and other protectionist measures to counter what he describes as unfair trade practices.
4. What is his academic background?
Navarro earned a Ph.D. in Economics from Harvard University and was a professor at the University of California, Irvine.
5. Has Navarro won any political office?
No, Navarro ran for public office several times in San Diego but never won.
6. How many books has he written?
Navarro has authored over 13 books, covering topics like global trade, economics, and policy.
7. What was his role during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Navarro coordinated the Defense Production Act and promoted domestic manufacturing of pandemic-related supplies.
8. What is his net worth?
Navarro’s net worth is estimated at $5 million.
9. What controversies surround Navarro?
He has faced criticism for his handling of trade policies, his promotion of hydroxychloroquine during the pandemic, and his refusal to cooperate with the January 6 investigation.
10. What is his current status?
Navarro remains a polarizing figure in American politics, continuing to advocate for protectionist trade policies and supporting Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign
