Peter Navarro Is Doubling Down on Tariffs

Jan 9, 2026

Peter Navarro, an economist and former White House trade advisor, dives deep into his influential role in shaping Trump's tariff policies and the tough U.S.-China relationship. He shares insights from his time in federal prison and his journey from Democrat to MAGA Republican. Navarro warns about price pressures while emphasizing the importance of manufacturing jobs and American interests. He also discusses the upcoming Supreme Court ruling on tariffs and offers strategic advice for Europe, all while reflecting on his unique experiences within the Trump administration.

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ANECDOTE

Origin Of Navarro–Trump Bond

Peter Navarro met Donald Trump after Trump listed Navarro's book among his favorite China books and they began exchanging notes.
Navarro recounts joining Trump's team in 2016 after a New York meeting that started their long bond over China policy.

INSIGHT

China's Model Goes Beyond Cheap Labor

Navarro argues China's economic assault was not just cheap labor but state-led mercantilism including subsidies and IP theft.
He labels those practices the "seven deadly mercantile sins" that have hollowed out Western manufacturing.

ANECDOTE

Prison As A Mission, Not A Punishment

Navarro describes going to prison for refusing a congressional subpoena and frames it as defending the Constitution.
He says he turned his time in prison into investigative work and claims to have exposed and solved a scandal there.

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US President Donald Trump’s tough talk about China and tariffs can be traced back in large part to economist Peter Navarro. A well-known China hawk, he has written books arguing Beijing poses a threat to the US economy and its national security.

Navarro is a loyalist who has served as a key trade adviser in both Trump administrations. In between, he spent four months behind bars for refusing to comply with a Congressional subpoena tied to the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol.

It is Navarro who stands behind Trump’s sweeping tariffs against China and other nations, levies that have in some cases raised prices for US companies and consumers.

In this conversation with Mishal Husain, recorded in Bloomberg's Washington studio, Navarro discusses the US relationship with China and an upcoming Supreme Court ruling on the administration’s use of emergency powers to levy tariffs. They also look ahead to this year’s midterm elections and back at the controversial Vanity Fair profile of Trump Chief of Staff Susie Wiles.

00:00 - Introduction from Mishal Husain
02:16 - Navarro’s bond with President Trump
05:04 - Navarro’s journey from Democrat to MAGA Republican
08:01 - Time in Federal prison
09:36 - US-China relationship
12:21 - Navarro’s advice for Europe
13:22 - Trump diplomacy
15:35 - Allowing Nvidia to export advanced chips to China
17:49 - Delivering for working class Americans
20:08 - Rubio-Vance 2028
21:57 - Addressing affordability concerns
23:38 - Manufacturing jobs: “We can’t wave a magic wand”
26:45 - Supreme Court ruling
30:17 - Cost of tariff refunds
31:15 - “It's not a job, it's a mission”

Watch this podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLe4PRejZgr0Ns_wjGlmjlPz0cded0nTYS

You can find the written version of this interview with Mishal’s notes on Bloomberg Weekend: https://www.bloomberg.com/latest/weekend-interview

Contact The Mishal Husain Show mishalshow@bloomberg.net

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