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From a fictional alter ego to attacks on Australia, meet Trump's trade advisor Peter Navarro

Whenever US tariffs are discussed, Peter Navarro’s name isn’t far behind. Here’s what Australians need to know about their new antagonist in the White House.

Jennifer Duke and Finn McHugh
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Peter Navarro is one of the key figures behind Donald Trump's push on tariffs. AAP Image/AP Evan Vucci.

No one truly believes Australia is Peter Navarro’s top priority. Yet this week, Donald Trump’s top trade adviser put the Albanese government front and centre in the global tariff fight.

“Australia is crushing, just crushing — with the help of China — our aluminium sector,” Navarro told Fox News.

This wasn’t an offhand comment. On CNN, he doubled down, claiming Australia was “killing” the US aluminium market. That's despite Australia’s aluminium exports to the US totalling just $377 million, according to Trading Economics.

“It’s a 50% capacity utilisation rate. In Australia, it’s 90%. And we can’t afford not to have strong aluminium and steel industries.”