White House National Trade Council Director Peter Navarro is contradicting Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin Steven Terner MnuchinOn The Money: Powell, Mnuchin stress limits of emergency loans | House seeks to salvage vote on spending bill | Economists tell lawmakers: Kill the virus to heal the economy Economists spanning spectrum say recovery depends on containing virus Powell, Mnuchin stress limits of current emergency lending programs MORE's assertion that the U.S. trade war with China is on hold.

Navarro, in an interview with NPR's Steve Inskeep broadcast Wednesday, took issue with both the characterization of the situation as a trade war, and the notion that it is on hold.

"That was an unfortunate sound bite," Navarro said, referring to Mnuchin's remark.

"What we're having with China is a trade dispute, fair and simple," he said. "We lost the trade war long ago."

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Last week, Mnuchin said “we are putting the trade war on hold."

"Right now, we have agreed to put the tariffs on hold while we try to execute the framework,” the Treasury secretary added.

The Trump administration, however, signaled this week that it is moving ahead with 25 percent tariffs on $50 billion worth of Chinese imports, and installing a slew of new restrictions on investments and visas.

The latest threat to impose restrictions come ahead of Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer Robert (Bob) Emmet LighthizerWhiskey, workers and friends caught in the trade dispute crossfire GOP senator warns quick vote on new NAFTA would be 'huge mistake' Pelosi casts doubt on USMCA deal in 2019 MORE's trip to China for negotiations on the relationship between Beijing and Washington, which is planned for this weekend.

Navarro told NPR that the Trump administration is working to prevent China from stealing American intellectual property and evading export controls on militarily sensitive technology.

He demurred, however, when asked about the administration's position on Chinese telecom firm ZTE, saying it was a law enforcement matter upon which he could not comment.

"It doesn't fit with your strategy," NPR's Inskeep pointed out.

President Trump Donald John TrumpOmar fires back at Trump over rally remarks: 'This is my country' Pelosi: Trump hurrying to fill SCOTUS seat so he can repeal ObamaCare Trump mocks Biden appearance, mask use ahead of first debate MORE has moved to allow ZTE to restart its U.S. business dealings after the Commerce Department dealt it a crippling blow, hitting the firm with a massive fine and banning it from buying American components.

The company had broken American sanctions by selling components to North Korea and Iran, and intelligence agencies were concerned that it was compromising American telecom networks.