World needs trade not protectionism

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull says the world needs more trade not more protectionism.

Speaking before heading to the G20 summit in the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou, he said Australia was committed to open markets, trade and innovation.

"The answer is not protectionism, the answer is not fear. The answer is confidence and commitment to the goals that were set out at the G20 in Brisbane and that we should continue with at this G20 and across the world," he told CNBC TV.

The summit on Sunday and Monday comes amid a faltering global economy, growing concern over violent extremism, China's muscle-flexing in the South China Sea, the US presidential election and a renewed push for action on climate change.

It also occurs with a backdrop of rising protectionism.

Mr Turnbull said we need to make the case for trade.

"We need to set out the facts, we need to make sure that all of our statistics and recognise the enormous growth we see from trade," he said.

Mr Turnbull said our future lay in continuing to raise living standards across the world.

"The way to do that is by expanding markets, opening our markets and encouraging the innovation and entrepreneurship that that brings," he said.