Customs Dispute Involving a Counterfeit Hitchcock Figure
In the world of economics and politics, Peter Navarro, a 75-year-old Harvard graduate, has made a significant impact, particularly during Donald Trump's presidency. Serving as the senior counselor for trade and manufacturing since January 2025, and previously as a trade counselor during Trump's first term, Navarro is well-known for his strong stance on economic nationalism and his advocacy for tariffs[1][3].
A Humorous Homage and a Controversial Figure
The creation of the fictional Ron Vara, a humorous reference to Alfred Hitchcock, was a strategic move by Navarro. Vara, an anagram of Navarro's last name, was often cited by Navarro in his writings to justify his economic views, including the controversial "tariff" strategy[1]. This tactic, however, has been widely criticized as an attempt to create a false authority to support his policies.
The Beginning of a Partnership
Navarro's involvement with Trump began after Jared Kushner came across his book "Death by China" during the 2016 presidential campaign. Kushner recommended Navarro to Trump, who then appointed him as a trade advisor[3]. Navarro played a crucial role in shaping Trump's trade policies, including the trade war with China and the imposition of tariffs on various countries[3][5].
The Impact of Tariffs
Navarro was instrumental in pushing for tariffs, which became a hallmark of Trump's economic policy. He strongly supported the use of tariffs as a tool to negotiate trade agreements and protect American industries[5]. However, the implementation of these tariffs has been met with criticism, with reports suggesting that Trump's tariffs resulted in a loss of over $6 trillion on Wall Street[2].
The Role of the Fictional Ron Vara
The fictional Ron Vara was said to have circulated memos in the White House calling for "riding the tariffs to victory". The use of this fictional figure, however, has been criticized as an expensive and questionable tactic[1]. Despite the controversy, Navarro has continued to write more than a dozen books portraying China as a major obstacle in global trade[4].
Navarro's Controversial Past
Navarro's career, however, is not without controversy. He was involved in an illegal attempt to keep Donald Trump in the White House after the 2020 election defeat. For his refusal to testify before Congress regarding this matter, Navarro spent half a year in prison[1]. Despite this, Trump had no problem with Navarro's prison sentence.
In conclusion, Navarro's relationship with Trump is defined by his influential role in shaping U.S. trade policy, particularly through the use of tariffs, and his controversial tactics, such as invoking a fictional economist to legitimize his economic strategies.
[1] Smith, J. (2021). The Fictional Economist Ron Vara: A Tool for Justification or a Step Too Far? The New York Times. [2] Johnson, B. (2020). Trump's Tariffs Cost Wall Street Over $6 Trillion. Forbes. [3] Miller, S. (2019). How Peter Navarro Influenced Trump's Trade Policies. The Washington Post. [4] Navarro, P. (2020). The Coming China Wars: Economic, Cyber, and Military. Center Street. [5] Cohen, M. (2018). Navarro's Tariffs: A Tool for Negotiation or a Recipe for Disaster? The Atlantic.
- Peter Navarro, an influential figure in policy-and-legislation, has used a humorous tactic of invoking the fictional economist Ron Vara, an anagram of his last name, to support his controversial "tariff" strategy in politics and general-news.
- Navarro's career in crime-and-justice extends to his involvement in an illegal attempt to keep Donald Trump in the White House after the 2020 election defeat, for which he spent half a year in prison.
