The right faction heavyweight is calling for Canberra to normalise relations with Beijing after diplomatic tensions affected agricultural export markets.

The opposition's agriculture spokesman said Australia had become an outlier after China put restrictions or flagged tariffs on beef, barley and wine imports.

"We are in an economic war with China," he told the National Rural Press Club in Canberra on Thursday.

"The Australia-China relationship has fallen to a point never seen since Tiananmen Square, probably worse."

Agriculture Minister David Littleproud said Mr Fitzgibbon was sensationalising the issue, noting Australian beef exports met the China trade deal quota by June.

"We do want to continue to talk with China but to have that, one party's got to put their hand out, be big enough and say we're ready to talk," he said.

Australia's railing against human rights abuses, foreign interference and freedom suppression has angered China.

Mr Littleproud last attempted to contact his Chinese counterpart in August but was ignored.

Trade Minister Simon Birmingham also hasn't received a response for months from his opposite number.

Mr Fitzgibbon said there was no conciliatory language coming from the government.

"There is no sign that the Australian government is taking this seriously or taking any steps to repair the damage done by it."

Mr Fitzgibbon said Donald Trump's trade policies had come at Australia's expense.

He also described the Turnbull government's changes to foreign investment review thresholds as discriminating against China.

"Diversifying our markets is the day job of every government," the senior Labor MP said.

"Members of the government are telling me they only started thinking about diversifying markets when they started a war with China."

Mr Littleproud said Mr Fitzgibbon must have been living under a rock to not know about a slew of free trade agreements with other countries.

"Our job has been to open up markets," he said.

"What I learnt in grade eight business economics was a simple principle to spread your risk, not have concentration."

But Mr Fitzgibbon said the relationship with Australia's biggest trading partner needed to be put back on track.

"We obviously have to be absolutely strident and robust in the defence of our values and Australian interests, but we can walk and chew gum too."

Australian Associated Press