“I think he just wants to shut down trade with China, period — regardless of the domestic cost.”
That would be a silly objective, as is the conclusion.
I just heard Art Laffer opine that he doesn’t understand Navarro’s position, but that doesn’t mean his role is not coordinated with Trump.
>> I just heard Art Laffer opine that he doesn’t understand Navarro’s position <<
I think Art must be making an intentionally ironic understatement. He’s an excellent economist who completely understands the futility of the kind of 18th Century Mercantilism espoused by Peter Navarro.
If we shut down all trade with the Gooks we’d lose $150 they lose $350B. Our economy is 18T/year. $150B is .08%. LOL!