The policy paper calls for “a continued close association with the EU customs union for a time-limited period after the UK has left the EU” in March 2019. Q&A Brexit phrasebook: what is the customs union? Barnier will report to EU leaders in October on whether the UK has made sufficient progress to allow for trade talks to open. The second is referred to as “a new customs partnership with the EU”, whereby the UK would adopt EU rules on imports heading to the bloc. One EU trade veteran questioned whether the UK could secure “an exceptional relationship which has never been agreed with any other country”.

Source: The Guardian August 15, 2017 13:37 UTC