Donald Trump has named Peter Navarro, an economist who has supported tariffs on Chinese goods, to head a newly formed White House National Trade Council.

Mr Navarro is a Harvard-educated academic who was behind a documentary "Death by China" describing China's threat to the US economy, and warning about Beijing's desire to become the dominant economic and military power in Asia.

Mr Trump also named his campaign manager Kellyanne Conway to the post of counselor to the president, indicating she would play a critical role in his administration.

Mrs Conway, 49, was credited with crafting much of the strategy that carried Mr Trump to victory.