But Mr Trump’s most incendiary claims are reserved for China. The Communist Party, he says, “has subsidised and otherwise incentivised” Chinese firms to “export fentanyl and related precursor chemicals that are used to produce synthetic opioids sold illicitly in the United States”.

China said Tuesday it would slap tariffs on imports of US energy, vehicles, and equipment, in retaliation to a trade war launched by Donald Trump.

China has reiterated its threat to take “necessary countermeasures to defend its legitimate rights and interests” following President Donald Trump’s decision to impose 10% tariffs.