The Brexit Files: can the customs union conundrum be solved?

Finding an alternative to the EU customs union has been one of the most difficult aspects of Brexit negotiations. The FT's political editor George Parker explains everything you need to know about the UK's proposal and whether it is viable.

[diekssus]

this is incredibly UK centric, this is why the UK isn't getting anything done, they still just think, how can we get more cake.

[jintarokensei]

UK delusion is always fascinating to watch.

[ultanbrady]

The fact is the tories expect Ireland to leave the EU (which will never happen!)

[mikael]

UK just keeps saying “Give, give!” But no “Have, have!” This is why you’re getting no deal.

[boereherp]

Please kick the UK out ASAP. They want out, so why postpone.

[thelonesculler]

"If you leave the bag in, then over time the tea gets stronger. So it may seem as though the bag is getting weaker, but it's now part of a stronger cup of tea. Whereas if you take the bag out, the tea is now quite weak, and the bag itself goes directly in the bin." - James Acaster on Brexit

[russellhogben]

Just when we were doing so well inside the EU we’re up and leaving. Madness.

[JBinero]

Why would the higher tariff be the EU one? The EU has lower tariffs than most other markets.

[rogerbennett]

May to travel to Austria and Czechoslovakia to talk to leaders, haven't we been here before? The EU does not do one off deals with member states. Grow some, leave and start running the country.

[bca-biciclindcuaxel]

Theresa May won't even be PM in 2019 :))

[johnsim]

You don't mention the VAT situation, and that's a big barrier to trade for SMEs selling in to the EU if their customers get stung with local customs charges. See trading with Norway for more details where you still have to put a customs label on goods for an area that's supposed to enjoy free trade!

[garsm]

Northern Ireland is part of Ireland. The clue comes in the 'Ireland' part of 'Northern Ireland'.

[yak]

Looks like mission impossible to me ! Start stockpiling the spam !

[anotheraccount]

This seems very strange. It almost seems like the UK is just to lazy to operate their own customs policy, every government outside the EU must do this and they had to do it too in the 60s.

[getmartincarter]

... and the final option is the best - a no deal but with the UK unilaterally zeroing tariffs on goods and food entering the UK regardless of origin . This is the Singapore model and the one in the Professor Patrick Minford model

[danielskomp]

The population of N Ireland is 1.8M, if approximately half are Loyalist/Uniinists it's 1M. So, , catering to 1M in Ireland
Holds 77.5 million in Britain, unable to Breezily Brexit. Just demographically.

[George]

If you are an EU citizen, here's how to enter the UK after BREXIT:
1. Fly to Dublin (passport required).
2. Take the train to Belfast (NO passport required).
3. Voila, you are now in the UK !

[jonjohnson]

I suppose there has to be a compromise though, simply saying NO to every plan (knowing the UK will never agree to BINO), is surely just going to hurt both the UK and the rest of the EU just as much.

[Iazzaboyce]

Everyone in the UK understood the referendum presented two very distinct choices; either, the UK should continue being part of a 'united states' of other European countries or the UK should become an independent country. At least 50% of the Remain vote (24% of those that voted) accept the result and want the country to move on. This means at least 76% of those that voted now expect the government to make the UK an independent country. Then there are those that were eligible to vote, but did not bother (13 million) these people must be viewed, as accepting the outcome. This means out of 44.5 million eligible to vote, at least 38.5 million now expect the UK government to make the UK an independent country...

[LivingLifeSlower]

Give NI back to Ireland. If the Unionists don't like it, they can always move back to Britain.