New Brexit threat to key sectors of all-island economy

"[The EU chief negotiator Michel] Barnier said no because the EU thinks the UK is just trying to remain part of supply chains, trying to get [EU] customs union benefits without being in the customs union and it will lead to a UK offshore manufacturing hub," says Sam Lowe, a trade expert with the Centre for European Reform (CER).  "The EU has been quite firm on this."

"It’s possible the EU could just write to all its trade agreement partners and ask, will you continue to accept Northern Ireland inputs as EU inputs for the foreseeable future," says Sam Lowe of the CER.