Brexit deal 'a week away' but May must agree on customs union, says Barnier
by Daniel Boffey and Jennifer Rankin from on (#40J1B)
Deal could be done by next Wednesday but PM must abandon red line, says EU negotiator
Michel Barnier has claimed a Brexit deal could be within reach by next Wednesday but warned the prime minister that only by abandoning a key red line and agreeing to a customs union can impediments on trade between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK be avoided.
The British government would have to give up on its plans for free-trade deals with China and the US under such an agreement, the EU's chief negotiator insisted, but otherwise a customs and regulatory border within the territory of the UK will have to be erected.
Related: DUP threatens to vote against budget if May crosses Brexit red lines
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