It is a choice that allows Donald Trump to thumb his nose at American justice. As trade and industry adviser, the president-elect chose Peter Navarro, who served in similar roles during the Republican’s first term and served four months in prison for obstructing Congress’ investigative powers after the assault on Capitol.
He also appointed Michael Faulkender, who was responsible for economic policy at the Treasury Department during the first term, as deputy secretary of the Treasury.
A Donald Trump loyalist
“I am pleased to announce that Peter Navarro, a man who has been treated horribly by the deep state, or whatever you want to call him, will be my senior advisor on trade and industry,” announced the president-elect on Wednesday in a message posted on his Truth Social network. The “deep state” is a widespread notion among Donald Trump’s supporters that government bureaucrats are working behind the scenes against him.
Peter Navarro, one of the White House’s main economic advisers during Donald Trump’s first term, is a loyal supporter of the American billionaire. Last January, he was sentenced to four months in prison, convicted of refusing to respond to a summons and to provide documents to the House of Representatives committee investigating the January 6 assault on the Capitol. 2021. He was released from prison in mid-July.
Resumption of the trade war
“During my first term, few have been more effective or tenacious than Peter in enforcing my two sacred rules: buy American, hire American,” Donald Trump once again greeted. “He helped me renegotiate unfair trade deals like NAFTA and the Korea-US Free Trade Agreement, and implemented every one of my customs and trade actions QUICKLY.”
The free trade treaty with South Korea was renegotiated upon the arrival of Donald Trump at the White House and an agreement was concluded in March 2018. As for Nafta, which was signed in 1994 between Canada, the United States and Mexico, it was replaced on July 1, 2020 by a new version, the North American Free Trade Treaty (AEUMC).
Trump promises ‘a new golden age for the United States’
As for Michael Faulkender, chosen to join the Treasury Department alongside Scott Bessent, appointed Treasury Secretary, he is, according to Donald Trump, a “distinguished economist and policy practitioner who will lead our America agenda. ‘on board “. “He will help (…) Scott Bessent usher in a new golden age for the United States by triggering a great economic boom for all Americans.”
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Michael Faulkender is currently a professor of finance, dean at the University of Maryland Business School, and is chief economist and vice president of the Center for American Prosperity.