Canada and China sign new MOUs in Beijing, launch ministerial energy dialogue as tariff talks continue
Latest news on WhatsApp أجدد الأخبار على واتسابCanadian Prime Minister Mark Carney oversaw the signing of a new set of memorandums of understanding with China in Beijing on Thursday, January 15, 2026, covering energy, combatting crime, modern wood construction, culture, and food safety plus plant and animal health, as Ottawa described the package as a foundation for a new strategic partnership.
Reuters reported that the two countries signed six initial cooperation agreements and agreed to hold energy policy talks, support cooperation on low carbon energy sources and technologies, and establish a ministerial level energy dialogue every 12 to 18 months to advance specific work items and explore further collaboration.
The announcements, however, did not signal immediate relief on tariffs. The dispute has been shaped by Canada’s 2024 tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and China’s retaliatory tariffs on Canadian farm and food products, with canola among the key files under discussion.
Reuters also said both sides signed a trade and economic roadmap aimed at keeping open channels of communication to address issues in agricultural trade, as Canada seeks to diversify export markets amid wider trade pressures.
Carney’s trip is the first official visit by a Canadian prime minister to China since 2017, and he is scheduled to meet President Xi Jinping on Friday.
