Australian politicians who lash out at Donald Trump risk creating "bad blood" if he goes on to be elected US president, an expert in American politics warns.
Political science professor Leonie Huddy, of the State University of New York at Stony Brook, cautioned Opposition Leader Bill Shorten over lashing out at the outspoken Republican presidential hopeful, saying his comments could backfire if both are eventually elected.
The Labor leader believes Mr Trump would be "very difficult" to work with if he wins the US presidential race in November and has raised concerns about the billionaire businessman's "extreme views".
Prof Huddy says it's "probably not" wise for foreign politicians to speak out against Mr Trump, even though he has created uncertainty about his approach to foreign policy.
File image of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump (AAP) Source: AAP
"Sometimes these statements can backfire and are seen as foreign interference," she told AAP on Wednesday.
"What's unwise is if Trump is elected it starts a negative starting point, if Shorten is also elected. It creates bad blood before they get started."
Mr Shorten on Wednesday defended his attacks on Mr Trump, arguing that while he supports Australia's alliance with the US, the Republican "thinks differently to most Australians".
"He has gone on the record saying he wishes (Iraqi dictator) Saddam Hussein and (Libyan dictator Muammar) Gaddafi were still around. He's called Mexicans killers and rapists," Mr Shorten told reporters.
While Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has attacked Mr Shorten over his comments on Mr Trump, senior government minister Christopher Pyne in March described Mr Trump's growing popularity among US voters as "terrifying" and "a real problem for the United States".
Australian politicians aren't the only critics, with British Prime Minister David Cameron branding Mr Trump's calls for a temporary ban on Muslims entering the US as "stupid, divisive and wrong".
Prof Huddy says Mr Trump has created so much uncertainty among foreign governments with his policies, which include plans to build a wall along the Mexican border and a desire for Nato members to contribute more to what he regards as an obsolete alliance.
"All that adds to the uncertainty around pre-existing arrangements (the US has with foreign governments)," she said.
Prof Huddy says leaders are also concerned about his lack of foreign policy experience, compared to Democratic presidential hopeful and former secretary of state Hillary Clinton.
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