How a Jared Kushner Amazon search led to the looming trade war

Jared Kushner.
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Economist Peter Navarro has been described as "the man who pushed [National Economic Council head] Gary Cohn out of the White House" and Politico has suggested he "could lead us into a global depression — or worse." A relatively minor character before President Trump announced a 25 percent tariff on steel and a 10 percent tariff on aluminum, Navarro could very well be credited with making those plans a reality.

While the tariffs are in line with what Trump has long touted, Navarro is the "hard-liner who is seen by outsiders as enabling and egging on Trump's most nativist and nationalistic instincts," The Washington Post writes, even as other aides and prominent Republicans have made desperate and unsuccessful counterarguments against going forward with the plan.

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Jeva Lange

Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.