U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration signaled openness Sunday to a deal with China to quell fresh trade tensions while also warning that recent export controls announced by Beijing were a major barrier to talks.

Vice President JD Vance called on Beijing to "choose the path of reason” in the latest spiraling trade fight between the world’s two leading economies, claiming that Trump has more leverage if the fight drags on.

Trump later posted a statement that hinted at a possible off-ramp for Chinese leader Xi Jinping while issuing a veiled threat that a full trade war would wound China.