The most likely cause of a new global war has been pinned down by an expert, days after China's Foreign Ministry told the US: "If war is what the US wants, be it a tariff war, a trade war or any other type of war, we’re ready to fight till the end." The Trump administration is locked in a trade war with China after placing a 145% tariff on Beijing, despite introducing a 90-day pause on other countries hit with higher tariffs.

China responded with a 125% tariff on the US and there are fears this could potentially escalate and see China threaten to invade neighbouring Taiwan to make Washington back-pedal, The Sun reports. Former first secretary of the UK embassy in Beijing, Professor Kerry Brown, warned any Chinese action on Taiwan could have significant consequences. He told the publication: "Taiwan is the greatest single probable cause of a global conflict that exists.

"Were China to make a military aggressive move on Taiwan, global politics would change instantaneously.

"China would move from being a competitor and adversary to being an outright enemy because it would be attacking a democracy."

China claims Taiwan - a US ally - as part of its territory, viewing the self-ruled island nation as a breakaway province.

Beijing has not ruled out the use of force to take Taiwan which is around 100 miles off China’s south-east coast.

China has conducted a number of military drills around Taiwan, with G7 foreign ministers expressing “deep concern” over the latest exercises.