Carney's 1st day in China secures agreement on energy — but no tariff breakthrough yet

On Prime Minister Mark Carney's first day of talks in Beijing, the government agreed to co-operate with China more on clean and conventional energy after years of difficult relations between the two countries.

But so far, the two sides have not resolved an ongoing tariff dispute.

The non-binding energy agreement marks the start of ministerial-level talks, which a senior Canadian official said hasn't happened for nearly a decade.

Beijing also did not commit to buying more Canadian petroleum and liquefied natural gas (LNG) in a memorandum of understanding signed by Energy and Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson.

"They are very clear, they would like more Canadian products," Hodgson told journalists.

The memorandum of understanding, which builds on a previous agreement, says both countries will talk about oil and gas resource development, LNG along with liquified petroleum gas, and emission reductions.

Carney is in China as part of his effort to move past years of diplomatic tension with Beijing and double non-U.S. exports over the next decade. He's expected to meet with China's President Xi Jinping on Friday. 

At this point, there is no sign of a breakthrough to drop or limit Beijing's retaliatory tariffs on Canada's agriculture industry, including canola, and Canadian officials won't say what they're willing to do to reach a resolution.

WATCH | China looking for trading partners that 'don't use energy for coercion,' Hodgson says:

Instead on Thursday, Canada and China signed an economic and trade co-operation "road map" laying out a plan to boost trade after years of diplomatic difficulties. 

Both countries also agreed to increase exports of Canadian pet food to China, improve tourism and re-upped previous agreements, including to combat crime.

"We're now in a new era of partnership with China," Industry Minister Mélanie Joly told journalists.

Carney told China's Premier Li Qiang at a meeting that teams in both countries have been working in recent months "to address some specific issues that have built up over time" and to "put in place the foundation for the new strategic partnership between" Canada and China. 

The progress made in recent months, Carney said, will help set Canada and China up "for the new world order."