Australia's relationship with the United States would "withstand" a Donald Trump presidency, Labor's foreign spokeswoman Tanya Plibersek says, despite opposition leader Bill Shorten labelling the presumptive Republican nominee's views "barking mad".

In an interview with ABC's 7.30 program on Tuesday, Ms Plibersek was repeatedly pushed by host Leigh Sales on whether Mr Shorten's comments would diminish the Australia-US alliance should both Labor and Mr Trump be victorious in the impending elections in both countries.

Defending her leader's strident comments, Ms Plibersek said they were no different to when former Prime Minister John Howard said al-Qaeda would cheer the election of Barack Obama.

"That didn't affect our relationship: we continue to have a very close relationship with the United States, including increasing the inter-relationship during the Obama presidency."