Negotiations between the UK and the EU on their future trade relations after Brexit were never going to be easy. After all, it took more than three years (and several near misses) just to agree the terms of Britain’s departure from the bloc. But talks were expected to stay within the wonkish, technical world of tariffs and product standards, since existential issues such as how to deal with the flow of goods across the Irish border without undermining peace or the integrity of the EU market were amicably settled.

That has changed in spectacular fashion. ..

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