This note analyzes a critical moment in a trade negotiation from a game‐theoretic perspective. The critical moment occurred in a U.S.‐China negotiation and required remarkable presence of mind from the leader of the U.S. side, Charlene Barshefsky. The analysis illustrates the importance of creating moves for other players when confronted with a situation that offers you no acceptable options. This tactic involves real‐time perspective taking skills to create a move that benefits both parties.