EU, UK negotiators closing in on a draft Brexit deal

By Jonathan Stearns and Ian Wishart

British negotiators submitted a revised set of Brexit plans to Brussels amid growing optimism that a deal could be struck this week.

The new proposals are aimed at clarifying the UK’s suggested customs rules for Northern Ireland, two officials said. Talks will continue throughout the day in Brussels as the two sides try to agree on how far Northern Ireland will be detached from the EU’s customs union -- something that risks incurring the opposition of the Democratic Unionist Party, whose support will be vital for any deal to pass.


Officials may even have a draft legal text ready for diplomats to scrutinize on Wednesday, two people said. Earlier, the European Union’s chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said a deal is possible this week -- but talks remain tough.