No deal isn’t going to happen – but next year’s trade negotiations will be fiendishly complicated

The closer the UK’s new relationship with the EU, the harder it’ll be to forge closer links with the US and the wider world

When Brexit is done, what then? It’s the trade deal with Europe – and other deals with the rest of the world.

The bill coming to the Commons on Friday will just cover the exit arrangements, clearing the bar and room invoices for the club we’re leaving at the end of January or soon after. Future access to EU club facilities, and its members’ reciprocal access to the UK’s, will be the next negotiation. That, in theory, should be completed by the end of 2020.

I say “in theory” because enshrining the final date for leaving in UK law is a negotiating tactic designed to focus minds.