PM optimistic on free trade front

Malcolm Turnbull remains optimistic about the global free trade agenda and its benefits for Australia despite a growing wave of protectionism in the US and parts of Europe.

"It's easy to get pessimistic because of a few political developments but I think the trajectory in favour of free trade will continue," the prime minister told international business channel Bloomberg TV on Tuesday.

Mr Turnbull said open markets were manifestly in Australia's interest because it was a much more trade-dependent economy than the US.