China and Russia are drafting a pact to boost the use of their national currencies in bilateral and international trade, underscoring their intent to cut their reliance on the US dollar. The development of a new international financial payments system aims to address rising concerns over additional US sanctions and trade tariffs. Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, during his visit to China earlier this month, said the two nations were discussing the launch of a new cross-border system for direct payment of trade invoices in the yuan and the rouble. He also said discussions were underway to allow the use of ... (full story)