筹码 (chóu mǎ): bargaining chip; gaming chip; casino token

Before the negotiation, both sides worked hard to increase their bargaining chips so as to gain more benefits at the table.

She held evidence of the company's financial fraud, which became an important bargaining chip for her promotion demand.

In divorce agreements, custody of the child often becomes a bargaining chip fought over by both parties, which is heartbreaking.

He used company secrets as a bargaining chip to threaten his boss for a raise, but ended up being fired.

Environmental groups pointed out that environmental standards must not be used as a bargaining chip in trade negotiations, otherwise it would harm the global ecosystem.