Container lines are debating whether to cut back on transpacific capacity following an escalation in the tariff war between the US and China, according to consultancy Drewry.

It said: "Just when ocean carriers thought it was safe to go back in the water all it took was a couple of tweets to throw the transpacific market back into chaos."

It had seemed that the flames of the trade war between the US and China were being doused following talks between the two sides that promised to deliver an accord, only for that cosy assumption to be shattered when president Donald Trump took to social media, the company added.