Russia’s international trade expanded for a 10th straight month in August, with a 28% jump vs. 7% in July. Exports surged by 33%, despite a slowdown to just 5% in shipments to China. The impact of historic sanctions regarding the annexation of Crimea, as well as more recent U.S. actions, have been cushioned by rising energy exports. They climbed 14% including a 16% jump in oil products, 49% in coal and 30% in natural gas. Steel exports were the second fastest growing sector after coal in the past year, but may slow once the U.S. finally implements its section 232 review of the industry.<...