A CLEAR pattern has emerged in the Brexit negotiations. British cabinet ministers and their fellow Conservative MPs fight among themselves over their goals. Eventually the prime minister comes up with a deal. But it is promptly rejected by the European Union,which suggests a different scheme. And the EU proposal often prevails.
So it may prove with Theresa Mays latest idea for Northern Ireland. Her cabinet is split over two options for a future customs arrangement, to avoid imposing controls at the Irish border. Her preference is a “customs partnership”, or whereby the United Kingdom would apply EU customs duties,but rebate the dissimilarity for goods that stayed in the UK. Most Brexiteers prefer a scheme known as “maximum facilitation”, in which fresh technology, and trusted-trader schemes and exemptions for small businesses would obviate the need for checks. Neither option is acceptable to the EU,neither is remotely ready and “max fac” might cost businesses as much as £20bn ($27bn) a...
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Source: economist.com