, Columnist
Trump's Trade Chief Makes a Rookie Mistake
Imports don't always hurt growth, and they often complement U.S. production. That's why trade restrictions can backfire.
He makes movies, too.
Photographer: Andy Kropa/getty imagesDonald Trump has chosen Peter Navarro, one of the most ardent critics of trade with China, to head his newly created National Trade Council -- a move many consider to be the opening shot in a trade war. Though I think the China trade boom of the 2000s did have some harmful effects, especially on certain U.S. workers, I worry that Navarro’s overall approach to trade doesn’t make economic sense.
The Cato Institute’s Dan Ikenson recently took Navarro to task for his views on trade. Ikenson says Navarro is making an elementary error when he writes:
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Trump's Trade Chief Makes a Rookie Mistake