Pauline Hanson's protectionist One Nation party is "more economically responsible" than the Labor opposition, Trade Minister Steve Ciobo has said.

As the Turnbull government was forced to defend a preference deal between the Liberal Party and One Nation in Western Australia, Mr Ciobo said the ALP "shouldn't be surprised" to be compared unfavourably to the firebrand minor party.

Trade Minister Steve Ciobo claims One Nation is more economically responsible than Labor. Credit:Andrew Meares

"Poor @AustralianLabor don't like being told One Nation is more economically responsible than they are. Shouldn't be a surprise to them," he tweeted on Monday.

It came after Mr Ciobo said One Nation's four senators had frequently voted in favour of the Turnbull government's legislation and espoused "a certain amount of economic rationalism" and fiscal responsibility.