Prime Minister Scott Morrison says Labor is lacking maturity over its criticism of Australia's international relations.Credit:AAP
His visit to the US last week came at a time of acute trade tensions between the world's largest economy and China,with Mr Morrison and President Donald Trump bothcalling for global institutions to treat China as a developed country.
Deputy Labor leader Richard Marles said China was still a developing economy under World Trade Organisation rules and that was"the matter of fact".
Mr Morrison said Labor was showing"a real lack of maturity on this issue",and"naivety when it comes to managing our international relations".
He said his government has set a"very careful"course on managing relationships with a"great ally"in the United States and"a comprehensive strategic partner"in China.
"We will continue to manage those relationships carefully,"Mr Morrison said.
"But I would urge those in Labor to be less confused,less naive and show a bit more maturity on this question and not seek to talk down Australia's relationships,particularly when we are overseas."