Trump creates National Trade Council to 'make American manufacturing great again

President-elect Donald Trump plans to form a new trade-focused council with the goal of boosting American manufacturing.

The White House National Trade Council will be led by Peter Navarro, director of trade and industrial policy.

The council will exist "to make American manufacturing great again and to provide every American the opportunity to work in a decent job at a decent wage," as well as shrinking the "trade deficit," expanding growth and stopping jobs from leaving the U.S., Trump's transition team said in a statement. The "Buy America, Hire America" program will focus on Trump's "America first" trade strategy after he takes office Jan. 20.

The NTC will advise Trump on strategies for trade negotiations, as well as assist unemployed U.S. workers.

“I read one of Peter’s books on America’s trade problems years ago and was impressed by the clarity of his arguments and thoroughness of his research," Trump said in statement. "He has presciently documented the harms inflicted by globalism on American workers, and laid out a path forward to restore our middle class. He will fulfill an essential role in my administration as a trade advisor."

Navarro, a UC-Irvine professor and Harvard economist, said he welcomes the chance to affect U.S. trade policies.

“I am deeply honored for the opportunity to serve the President-elect and this nation and to advise on policies to rebalance our trade, rebuild our industrial base, and restore America’s comprehensive national power by making America great again,” he said.