U.S. has far more cards than China, says Vance amid trade tensions

U.S. Vice President JD Vance said Washington holds greater leverage than China in the deepening trade standoff, after President Donald Trump announced 100% tariffs on Chinese imports and new export restrictions on critical software.

Speaking on Fox News, Vice President JD Vance said the United States has “far more cards” to play than China in the escalating trade tensions, but expressed hope that Beijing would take a “reasonable” approach to avoid further confrontation.

“If they respond in a highly aggressive manner, I guarantee you, the president of the United States has far more cards than the People's Republic of China,” Vance said. “It’s going to be a delicate dance, and a lot of it will depend on how the Chinese respond.”

Vance said President Trump hopes to avoid using that leverage but will act if necessary. “What the United States has is a lot of leverage, and my hope, and I know the president’s hope, is that we don’t have to use it,” he said.

The comments came after Trump announced sweeping 100% tariffs on all Chinese goods starting 1 November, in addition to existing duties, and plans to restrict exports of key software. The move followed Beijing’s decision to tighten controls on rare earth exports and limit cooperation with foreign firms without government approval.

China’s Commerce Ministry said on Sunday that while Beijing does not want a trade war, it “is not afraid of one.”

Vance added that Trump values his “friendship and good relationship” with Chinese President Xi Jinping but said China’s latest actions “shocked” many in Washington.

U.S. markets fell sharply on Friday following Trump’s tariff announcement, reflecting investor concerns over supply chain disruptions and inflation risks. The rare earth sector, critical for electronics and clean energy technologies, is seen as one of Beijing’s main pressure points.

Vance stressed that Washington wants constructive relations with China, “but not if the Chinese go down this pathway of cutting off the entire world from access to some of the goods that they produce.”

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