A leaked joint political declaration on the UK's future relationship with the EU envisages a trade relationship on goods that is "as close as possible", but acknowledged there would be "inevitable" barriers. The document also said certain arrangements and technologies would be considered to prevent a hard border between Ireland and Northern Ireland. It said: "The UK will continue to work closely together with our European partners in order to ensure we have an open, frictionless trading area across Europe - including by ensuring that all aspects of customs
A leaked joint political declaration on the UK's future relationship with the EU envisages a trade relationship on goods that is "as close as possible", but acknowledged there would be "inevitable" barriers. The document also said certain arrangements and technologies would be considered to prevent a hard border between Ireland and Northern Ireland. However, the pro-Brexit European Research Group called the declaration a "smokescreen" to cover the likelihood of a permanent customs union backstop.