FEDERAL Member for Dawson George Christensen has defended United States president-elect Donald Trump after criticism from Australia's sugar industry.

The move came after the chairman of Canegrowers Queensland and Australia Paul Schembri said he was "very disappointed" with Trump for promising to withdraw the US from the Trans-Pacific Partnership deal.

If the TPP is ratified, Australian sugarcane growers would have access to the US market for the first time in many years, with an annual quota of 65,000 tonnes and increased access over time.

Mr Christensen said while the promised amount in the deal was "okay" it still wasn't what the industry wanted.

"When that section of the deal was initially agreed to, the sugarcane industry was disappointed with the outcome," Mr Christensen said.

"Mr Schembri might believe Trump is a protectionist but in reality the US needs sugar.

"They currently have a deficit and are importing most of it from Mexico. With the way things are going, Mexico might not be so happy to trade with them as much, which presents an opportunity for Australia."

Mr Christensen said if the US did withdraw from the TPP, he would speak with Federal Minister for Trade Steven Ciobo about finding other ways for Australia to sell sugar into the US market.

Other countries involved in the TPP including Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam have suggested they would continue with the deal if the US withdraws.

Of more concern to Mr Schembri, however, was Trump's "inward looking" policies, which he said could create an international trade war.

He said because 80% of what Australia produces is for export, if a trade war is started, "we would get burned". Mr Christensen, however, believed Australia could be better off if a trade war starts.

"If China and the US trade less with each other, as Australia already has good relations with them both, we could become their favoured partners," he said.