UK’s secret work hours deal

Article suggests that the United Kingdom has offered a secret deal to Italy under which it would back Rome's demand for punitive tariffs on cheap Chinese shoes in return for Italian support for the UK's long-hours work culture. This is regarded as a classic example of European Union horse-trading in policy making and has dismayed retailers, who claim a deal with Italy could force Britain to support Rome in future trade disputes with China over imports of low-price furniture and ceramics.