Canada-China Sign Energy MoU, Discuss Tariff Issues

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney/DOK via Wikimedia Commons

JAKARTA - Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's visit to China resulted in a number of agreements, with both countries signing a memorandum of understanding that includes cooperation in the oil, gas, and clean energy sectors.

Carney's visit was the first visit by a Canadian prime minister to China in eight years and marked Ottawa's efforts to reduce its dependence on the United States (US) as a major trading partner.

The memorandum of understanding does not bind China to buy additional oil or natural gas from Canada. However, the document opens the door for further talks in various fields, including oil, liquefied natural gas, and petroleum gas, and continues discussions that have been carried out previously, officials said.

"They were very clear in expressing their desire to acquire more Canadian products," Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson told reporters, quoted by ANTARA from Anadolu, Friday, January 16.

He accompanied Carney along with a delegation of senior cabinet ministers on the visit.

Other deals include exports of Canadian pet food as well as expanded cooperation in the tourism sector, public broadcaster CBC News reported.

Carney said Canada and China were working to "lay the foundation for a new strategic partnership", stressing that the two countries must be ready "to face a new world order".

Foreign Secretary Anita Anand raised the issue of tariffs imposed by China on Canadian pork, canola, and seafood products. She said talks with Chinese officials were "productive".

Beijing imposed the tariffs last year after Ottawa imposed import duties on Chinese-made electric vehicles, steel and aluminum.

Previously, Carney said he had a target to double non-US exports in the next 10 years.