US Trade Representative Katherine Tai poses for a portrait at the Office of the US Trade Representative in Washington, DC on October 3, 2024. Tai defended stiff tariff hikes against countries like China, arguing that paired with investment, they were a "legitimate and constructive" tool for re-invigorating domestic industries. Tai's comments to AFP come a week after sharp tariff increases on Chinese EVs, EV batteries and solar cells took effect -- with levies down the line on other products also recently finalized. (Photo by Richard PIERRIN / AFP) (Photo by RICHARD PIERRIN/AFP via Getty Images)