Donald Trump has appointed China critic Peter Navarro as the head of the new White House National Trade Council.

Peter Navarro will lead the White House National Trade Council and serve as director of trade and industrial policy.

The economist was an adviser to Donald Trump during the election campaign.

His books include The Coming China Wars and Death by China, in which he is deeply critical of Chinese policy.

Image source CNBC

During the election, Donald Trump made trade issues a core campaign issue, criticizing some deals made with countries like China and Mexico.

The president-elect has already angered China by speaking to the Taiwanese president by phone, in violation of the US’s decades-long “one China” policy.

Donald Trump has also openly criticized China in outbursts on Twitter, recently accusing it of devaluing its currency to impede US competition, among other claims.

The presidential transition team said Peter Navarro’s appointment “demonstrates the president-elect’s determination to make American manufacturing great again”.

In a recent article for the San Francisco Chronicle, Peter Navarro said he had encountered Donald Trump after the publication of his first book, and became a senior policy adviser to his campaign after lengthy correspondence.

One of Peter Navarro’s books, Death by China, was adapted into a documentary film narrated by Martin Sheen. Peter Navarro is credited as both writer and director.

In its preamble, Peter Navarro urges viewers “help defend America and protect your family – don’t buy <<Made in China>>.”

Death by China highlights the sustained loss of American manufacturing jobs at a time of Chinese economic growth, as well as the environmental impact of Chinese industry.