Senior White House adviser Peter Navarro stated that allegations of Chinese interference in the 2020 US presidential election would not automatically change the Trump administration’s broader engagement with Beijing. Navarro emphasized that election security and US-China policy should be seen as separate issues. He defended President Donald Trump’s efforts to enhance election safeguards while addressing concerns about China’s activities before the election.
Navarro highlighted that China’s denial of the allegations was expected and stressed that the focus should be on safeguarding the American election system. He raised concerns about China accessing voter-related data and metadata before the election, suggesting malicious intent behind such actions. Navarro also pointed out divisions within the US intelligence community regarding China’s influence on the election.
The senior adviser refrained from discussing potential punitive measures against China for election interference, emphasizing the need to strengthen domestic election safeguards. Navarro promoted President Trump’s proposed Save America Act, which includes provisions for voter identification, proof of citizenship, and tighter controls on absentee ballots. He underlined the importance of addressing vulnerabilities in the election system to prevent exploitation by foreign and domestic actors.
When asked about the impact of the allegations on Trump’s plans to host Chinese President Xi Jinping at the White House, Navarro deferred the question, stating it was beyond his scope. He reiterated that the declassified material aimed to raise awareness about election vulnerabilities and emphasized the significance of the Save America Act in addressing these issues.
