The Trump administration has noted the low value from Chinese investment in Australia in a blunt message about the importance of the United States trade relationship instead as it seeks global support in its trade war with Beijing.

US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross blamed China for a "massive" dislocation in the global economy while emphasising the strength of the trade and investment between the US and Australia at a speech in Sydney.

US Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross said the US is "addressing fundamental issues" in its trade relationship with China. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

While Mr Ross acknowledged the significant rise in Australian exports to China, he portrayed this as a more shallow relationship than the longstanding ties with the US when foreign investment was taken into account.

"We represent 27 per cent of foreign investment in Australia, and American companies employ more than 400,000 Australians," Mr Ross said in Sydney on Thursday.