Throughout the whole Brexit process the setting of red lines on both sides has made negotiations difficult. But something is going to have to give if the UK is to avoid leaving on 29 March without a deal.

While some favour a no-deal outcome, the reality is that after 45 years of EU membership the complex supply chains built over that period make it a bad outcome for the economy of the UK, and also a number of European economies, including Ireland.

But as things stand, the only legal certainty involves the UK leaving the EU at the end of March without a deal.

With time running out, it is becoming increasingly likely. However, when the ‘cliff-edge’ eventually comes, and MPs are faced with no-deal or a version of Theresa May’s withdrawal agreement, perhaps a majority will back the British Prime Minister in the end.

Perhaps the most logical solution to Brexit is that the UK commits to permanently staying in a customs union with the EU, essentially aligning UK trade policy with the EU

In the meantime, she is heading back to Brussels to seek ‘alternative arrangements’ to the Irish backstop.

One thing that everyone does agree on is that there should be no hard border in Ireland, and even under no deal there might be some technological solutions that help avoid that happening. But more fundamentally for farmers, a hard border means EU tariffs on our food exports, and it is that which will stop trade.

Perhaps the most logical solution to Brexit is that the UK commits to permanently staying in a customs union with the EU, essentially aligning UK trade policy with the EU.

There might still be a need for NI to be close to the EU single market for goods (to allow free movement of goods across the border), but with the UK unable to do its own independent trade deals, fears that NI is gradually cut off from Britain are removed.

The problem with this is that it crosses a red line set by Prime Minister May, who has clearly stated that the UK must have its own independent trade policy.

But aside from fanciful notions, the benefits of trading outside the EU bloc are not clear.

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