Labor is demanding Scott Morrison remind Donald Trump that Australian livelihoods are at risk as a consequence of the US-China trade war.
The prime minister will fly to Washington later this week, before joining the US president for dinner at the White House.
"I'm sure Scott Morrison will be feeling very excited about going off and catching up with his mate Donald Trump," deputy opposition leader Richard Marles told reporters in Canberra on Tuesday.
"But there's actually a very serious agenda for him to prosecute in Washington."
Negotiators from the US and China are due to resume stalled trade talks later this week, before top officials meet early next month.
Mr Marles said it was critically important for Australia that the US maintained an outward-looking approach to trade.
"Trade tensions between the United States and China are obviously a concern for Australia and it will impact livelihoods here," he said.
"There will be working Australians who are in jeopardy in terms of their work security by virtue of escalating trade tensions between China and the United States."
Australian Associated Press
