Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney signed an agreement Thursday with the western energy-producing Alberta province to advance a new oil pipeline, a divisive move raising concern about Ottawa's commitment to confronting climate change.

The memorandum of understanding charts a plan for a pipeline going from Alberta to Canada's Pacific coast, specifically to boost oil exports to Asia -- in line with Carney's goal of expanding overseas trade to offset the damage of US President Donald Trump's trade war.

"At the core of the agreement, of course, is a priority to have a pipeline to Asia," Carney said ahead of the signing alongside Alberta's conservative Premier Danielle Smith.

The deal marked a clear pivot for Carney's Liberal Party and a departure from the policies that defined former prime

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