US Ex-Im votes to end policy restricting overseas coal project lending, observers say

WASHINGTON, May 1 (Reuters) - The board of the U.S. Export-Import Bank voted to reverse a two-decade long restriction on lending to coal projects overseas on Thursday, reflecting President Donald Trump's agenda that calls for more domestic coal mining and exports of U.S. coal.

The vote comes less than a month after the White House issued an executive order aimed at reviving the U.S. coal industry, which included a measure directing Ex-Im and the International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to open up facilities for coal developers.