London may be reluctant to recognise Brexit trade-offs

Significance

Ministers have been anxious to set out their stall, win over domestic opponents and convince EU and UK audiences to advance the Brexit negotiations.

Impacts

• The prime minister seems to have averted defeat over an amendment to the trade bill calling for EU customs union membership.
• If the United Kingdom leaves the customs union, it will make the EU a less attractive partner for trade deals with third countries.
• May probably hopes that by not elaborating on the Irish border issue she can push it into the second phase of the negotiations.