KINGS POINT, N.Y., June 3, 2019 – Rear Admiral Jack Buono, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) superintendent, announced today that Dr. Peter Navarro would serve as the 83^rd commencement speaker for the USMMA graduating Class of 2019, on Sat., June 15 at 10 a.m. at Kings Point, NY. Navarro serves as assistant to President Donald Trump for trade and manufacturing policy.

“USMMA is honored to welcome from the White House the distinguished Harvard economist, Dr. Peter Navarro to Kings Point for the graduation of the Class of 2019,” said Buono. “He is a key policy advocate and supporter of the maritime industry and its contributions to the economic prosperity and national security of our nation.”

Dr. Navarro received his Ph.D. in economics in 1986 from Harvard University and is a professor emeritus at the University of California, Irvine.  He is the author of numerous books, including, The Coming China Wars, Death by China, and Crouching Tiger: What China’s Militarism Means for the World.

At the White House, Dr. Navarro is the Director of the Office of Trade and Manufacturing Policy (OTMP), an office established by President Trump to defend and serve the men and women who work with their hands in the factories and shipyards of America.

In his role as OTMP Director, Dr. Navarro has helped significantly expand the coverage of Buy American, Hire American policies while working closely with Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao and the Maritime Administration defending the Jones Act – America’s oldest Buy American statute.  He has helped reform the conventional arms transfer and unmanned aerial systems policies of the United States and expand foreign military sales to our Nation’s partners and allies.  His office helped coordinate the first whole-of-government assessment of the defense industrial base since the days of President Eisenhower.  On trade, Dr. Navarro works closely with the United States Trade Representative and other members of the trade team on issues related to China, NAFTA, and other entities.

####

ABOUT USMMA

The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, located in Kings Point, N.Y, educates and graduates leaders of exemplary character who are inspired to serve the national security, marine transportation, and economic needs of the United States as licensed Merchant Marine Officers and commissioned officers in the Armed Forces. President Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicated the Academy, which was established under the Merchant Marine Act of 1936, as the United States Merchant Marine Academy in 1943. It is administered by the Maritime Administration under the auspices of the Department of Transportation.

On the web: U.S. Merchant Marine Academy

On Facebook: @USMMAOfficial

On Twitter: @USMMAo