Is fictional expert 'Ron Vara' behind Trump's tariff plans?

Peter Navarro, who is the White House’s senior counselor for trade and manufacturing, has frequently quoted someone named 'Ron Vara' in his books and op-eds. 'Vara' even published a pro-tariff memo during Donald Trump's first term in 2016, claiming he could 'ride the tariffs to victory' against China. But 'Ron Vara' is a fictional character and just an anagram of Navarro

Explainers