Trade realities expose the absurdity of a Brexit 'no deal'

The UK has imposed a diversion of effort upon its partners at an exceptionally testing time. It has undermined the credibility of a project viewed as existential by many of its members, including its most powerful ones. Brexiters have poured ridicule and scorn on the whole venture. Now they imagine the UK can refuse the EU’s terms for an amicable divorce and yet still count upon active and enthusiastic co-operation in ensuring the smooth flow of trade. The idea of “no deal” is just ridiculous [writes John Springford and Simon Tilford of the Centre for European reform].