Donald Trump’s team have been branded “pigs” by a newspaper with close links to China’s ruling Communist Party, the latest salvo in a row over the president-elect's protocol-defying phonecall with Taiwan’s leader.

The Global Times warned Mr Trump he could be led into a situation where it would be “too late for regrets” if he follows hawkish advisors who encourage him to confront China.

The angry editorial was in response to remarks by Stephen Moore, an economic advisor, who said if Beijing objected to Mr Trump’s call with Tsai Ing-wen, then “screw ‘em”.

China is deeply suspicious of Ms Tsai, Taiwan’s president, who it believes is seeking formal independence for the island.