Brussels may include 'punishment clause' in post-Brexit trade deal

The EU is keen to both protect its economic interests and ensure there is no race to the bottom on regulatory standards.The EU is exploring the inclusion of a “punishment clause” in any future trade deal with the UK to allow Brussels to slap tariffs on key British exports to the bloc if the UK government seeks to gain a commercial advantage by lowering regulatory standards.In a move that would torpedo the post-Brexit plans of the British cabinet’s key Brexiters, any significant