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Originally Posted by Dave42
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An agreement on the backstop is important because the EU won't agree to a transitional period and substantive trade talks until it is in place.
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The EU originally proposed a backstop that would mean Northern Ireland staying in the EU customs union, large parts of the single market and the EU VAT system.
Its chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, continually emphasised that this backstop could only apply to Northern Ireland.
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The real sticking point is the "to apply unless and until an alternative arrangement implementing another scenario is agreed,", which means we are held hostage by the EU. How inept can you get?