TUSSLES IN BRUSSELS WILL GO TO THE WIRE

What has been agreed in Brussels?

Theresa May has been given the go-ahead for the next stage of the Brexit talks.

The first phase dealt with the divorce bill, citizens’ rights and Northern Ireland.

Phase 2 will be about the new trading relationship between the UK and the EU and agreeing a transition period – extra time after we leave in March 2019 – to implement that deal.

What happens now?

The UK has been told trade negotiations will not begin until

What is the most likely option?

May wants a bespoke free trade deal based on the existing rules for

Can we get a deal?

Time is short. EU Council president Donald Tusk said securing a trade deal is “realistic but dramatically difficult”.

Trade talks will not start until March and will have to be wrapped up by October for the deal to be approved by the European Parliament.

May also has to sell the deal to MPs, who now have a vote on the final agreement.

A pressing problem for the PM is the terms of the transition. Brexiteers are not happy we will have to abide by EU rules and accept freedom of movement until 2021. During this time, we will not be able to strike new trade deals with other countries.