Technology not trade drives job losses: PM

Malcolm Turnbull believes those worried about their economic future and trade deals need to recognise many job losses are driven by technology.

"It's the pace of technological advancement as much as anything else that is causing these disruptions," the prime minister told Sky News on Thursday, saying that was especially the case for manufacturing jobs.

Nevertheless, Mr Turnbull recognised some people were unsettled by the pace of change and said the onus was on him and other leaders to make the case for trade, not just treat it as some "ideological virtue" with self-evident benefits.