Peter Navarro is a prominent American economist and political figure known for his strong advocacy of protectionist trade policies and his influential role in the Trump administration. He earned his PhD in economics from Harvard University in 1986 and became a professor at the University of California, Irvine, where he taught for over two decades.

Navarro gained national attention through his documentary films and books criticizing China's trade practices, most notably 'Death by China' (2011), which he later adapted into a documentary film. His economic views are characterized by strong skepticism of free trade agreements and globalization, particularly regarding U.S.-China relations.

During the Trump administration, Navarro became one of the most influential voices on trade policy, advocating for tariffs and domestic manufacturing protection. He played a key role in shaping the administration's 'America First' trade agenda and was involved in negotiating the USMCA trade agreement. Navarro's confrontational approach to China made him a controversial figure, with critics arguing his policies risked trade wars while supporters praised his defense of American manufacturing interests.

An interesting aspect of Navarro's career is his background in environmental economics before shifting focus to trade and China issues. He also ran for political office several times in California as a Democrat before becoming a Republican advisor, showing an unusual political trajectory. Navarro is known for his direct and sometimes combative style in policy debates.