Scott Morrison will directly urge US President Donald Trump to resolve trade tensions with China over dinner on the eve of the G20 summit.
The prime minister has secured a spot on Mr Trump's short and exclusive list of scheduled meetings on the sidelines of the forum in Osaka, Japan this week.
Mr Morrison sees the working dinner on Thursday as a chance to urge Mr Trump to stay engaged with Chinese president Xi Jinping to resolve the trade dispute that is casting a shadow over the global economy.
It comes after he cautioned Australia would not stay a passive bystander while the collateral damage from the trade dispute spread.
"This meeting with the president and his senior team highlights the strength and candour of our relationship," Mr Morrison said in a statement.
"From efforts to relieve the strains on our global trading system to greater digitalisation and the need for social media companies to step up to better protect our citizens, the US and Australia have significant roles to play."
Mr Trump will also meet with Mr Xi in Osaka to discuss trade.
The White House has signalled it is in no hurry to solve the trade dispute with China and the president would use his meeting with Mr Xi "to see where the Chinese side is since the talks last left off".
While Mr Morrison is optimistic they can move things along, he cautioned it may take longer than the world watching on would like.
China's ambassador to Australia, Cheng Jingye said on Wednesday his country does not want a trade war but would "fight to the end if needed".
Mr Morrison and Mr Trump are also expected to discuss the prime minister's G20 initiative for stronger global cooperation on stopping terrorists and violent extremists using social media platforms.
The two leaders are also expected to discuss developments in the Middle East, including with Iran, and the situation with North Korea.
Trade Minister Simon Birmingham, Finance Minister Mathias Cormann, Australia's ambassador to the US Joe Hockey and senior officials will join the talks.
