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This probably isn't a time for serious analysis of the UK's options, but given how many people idly talk of EEA, EFTA or Customs Union as options, just a quick overview that you can pretend you knew already.... 1/
European Economic Area = single market, open to members of EU or EFTA - European Free Trade Association. Part of single market, established consultation mechanism, trade agreements through EFTA or independently... 2/
EFTA/EEA (cont)... but Freedom of Movement, helps but may not fully solve Ireland border question, outside of political union. UK was a founder member of EFTA 3/
A Customs Union with the EU means no tariffs / rules of origin for trade with EU, accept EU external tariff, no established consultation mechanism, possibility of regulatory harmonisation in some areas, again partly helps Ireland border question, no FoM 4/
Anything short of Customs Union or EEA means Free Trade Agreement or Association Agreement (latter more wide ranging but no real difference), potential for tariffs, regulatory checks, doesn't solve Ireland border unless new solutions found 5/
Reason for setting this out being that EEA and Customs Union are far too frequently confused - former is predominantly regulatory, latter predominantly about trade policy. Both leave some scope for national action, but limited. 6/
Is a Customs Union better than EEA or vice versa? Depends really what the aim of the game is, but worth being aware that EEA gives more control of national regulations than Customs Union gives of external trade policy 7/
Concluding comment - without commitment to formal Customs Union or EEA membership, ensuring no Irish border infrastructure may require period of alignment for many years with both, could be incentive to formally adopt one model 8/ end
