BERLIN (AP) — German Chancellor Angela Merkel says the European Union will need mechanisms to deal with new rules in post-Brexit Britain that might distort competition. She's comparing the divorce process with negotiating a free trade agreement backward. That echoed comments earlier this week that appeared to signal a somewhat tougher tone on Brexit from Berlin. Negotiations on Britain's EU departure are expected to start in earnest next month. Merkel noted that Britain will be able to adopt its own standards on issues such as environment and consumer protection once it leaves.

Source: The China Post May 19, 2017 11:03 UTC