“If Trump wins, then we’ll see a [repeat of the situation] between China and the US during his last time in office – a race to the bottom, high tariffs and also very provocative actions like taking a phone call from [former Taiwanese leader] Tsai Ing-wen or [sending US] secretaries of state to visit Taiwan,” he said.

His comments come after China staged a day of war games around Taiwan to send a warning against “separatist acts” earlier this week, a move which drew condemnation from Taiwan and the US.

Beijing views Taiwan as a renegade province that should be reintegrated into mainland control, by force if necessary. While many nations, including the US, do not officially acknowledge Taiwan as an independent state, they oppose any use of force to alter the status quo.