Trump Appoints China-Critical Economist to Lead National Trade Council

The elected President of the United States, Donald Trump, has chosen Peter Navarro, an economist critical of China's policies, to lead the 'White House National Trade Council.' This is seen as Trump's latest step in entering a new competitive arena with China during the 45th presidency of the United States. Navarro's appointment to head an important economic council comes after a series of criticisms and protests exchanged between Trump and Chinese officials in recent weeks. Peter Navarro, a professor at the University of California and advisor to the Republican candidate during the election campaign, is the author of several books, including 'Death by China: How America Lost Its Manufacturing Base.' The transition government described Navarro as a 'broad-minded' individual in a statement. They stated that Navarro would help develop trade policies that reduce the trade deficit, increase growth, and prevent job opportunities from leaving the borders. The selection of a China-critical economic figure is seen as Trump's latest move in the competition with China. Trump has repeatedly criticized China's economic policies. These criticisms have taken on a political hue, especially following a phone conversation between Tsai Ing-wen, the President of Taiwan, and Donald Trump. This phone call is considered a break from the long-standing silence of the highest executive official of the United States towards the senior executive of Taiwan. Since the mid-1970s, with the acceptance of the 'One China' policy, no U.S. president or president-elect has spoken with any Taiwanese president. China has considered Taiwan a rebellious province belonging to its territory since the Maoist revolution and the flight of the government and army of Chiang Kai-shek to Taiwan. However, Taiwan is effectively governed by an elected government and parliament under a separate political, judicial, and military structure. This country issues its own passport, but the major relations of the world's countries with it are not officially based on embassy management but rather on the management of cultural and commercial offices. These offices effectively perform the same functions as embassies. Taiwan also ranks at the top of countries with freedom of expression in Asia, according to intergovernmental organizations like Reporters Without Borders, unlike China. Regarding Taiwan, China, and the protests of recent years against Beijing, Reuters reports that Peter Navarro is among those calling for increased cooperation between Washington and Taipei. He sees no reason for the U.S. to adhere to the 'One China' policy, while at the same time refraining from stating the necessity of recognizing Taiwan as an independent country. Chinese officials and state media have reacted to Trump's statements and actions in recent weeks, especially regarding Taiwan. These reactions, while expressed by official officials, have taken on a critical and protest tone, but when expressed by state media, they have become harsher. For example, Mandarin and English-language organs of the Communist Party of China have called for increased strategic nuclear capabilities or suggested the possibility of 'selling weapons to America's enemies.' The elected President of the United States stated in December that he 'does not like China to dictate to him.' He also added, 'I don't know why we should adhere to the One China policy unless we come to an agreement with China on other issues, including trade.' The United States is considered the largest economy in the world, and China is the second-largest economy.