Any Brexit deal will hit UK economy – government paper

The UK economy will grow more slowly outside the European Union, no matter what deal is struck with Brussels, a leaked government document suggests. Source: BBC

EU says it will react swiftly if Trump restricts EU trade

The European Union is ready to react swiftly if the United States restricts its exports, the European Commission said after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to confront the bloc over its “very unfair” trade policy. Source: Reuters

Poland wants U.S. sanctions to cover Nord Stream 2

land wants the United States to impose sanctions on the planned Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline between Russia and Germany, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said in a newspaper interview published on Monday. Source: Reuters

Despite sanctions, North Korea exported coal to South and Japan via Russia

North Korea shipped coal to Russia last year which was then delivered to South Korea and Japan in a likely violation of U.N. sanctions, three Western European intelligence sources said. Source: Reuters

U.S. Targets Oil Tankers Violating North Korean Sanctions

New sanctions from the White House target tankers that were revealed to be delivering oil products from Russia to North Korea, violating international sanctions against the latter state for its nuclear weapons program and human rights abuses. Source: Oil Price

Chinese yuan strengthens to fresh high against USD Monday

The central parity rate of the Chinese currency renminbi, or the yuan, advanced Monday to its highest level since Dec. 8, 2015. The central parity rate of the yuan, strengthened 57 basis points to 6.4112 against the U.S. dollar Monday, according to the China Foreign Exchange Trade System. Source XinHuaNet

Russia Offers Legal Cover for Cryptos as Central Bank Dissents

Russia’s Finance Ministry published draft legislation to regulate operations using cryptocurrencies, putting it at odds with the central bank’s resistance to allowing their exchange into rubles and other currencies. Licensed operators would be able to validate conversion of cryptocurrencies into other digital instruments as well as rubles or foreign currencies. Source Bloomberg