Assuming this is approved ​by the European council, talks can move on to the ​second phase, including future trade. The big decisions on Northern Ireland have largely been kicked down the road. For example, if future arrangements cannot avoid a hard border, the UK will “maintain full alignment" with internal market rules – the specifics remain vague. The EU's agreement to move on with the talks means Brexit now seems inevitable, barring a major surprise. The DUP torpedoed the British government’s plans last Monday when an original agreement with Brussels on moving talks on was leaked.

Source: The Guardian December 08, 2017 06:49 UTC