EU summit in focus for the week - BBH

In view of analysts at BBH, the EU Summit at the end of next week is most likely to grant that the UK has made sufficient progress to proceed to the next stage of negotiations-the future trade relationship. 

Key Quotes

“The general impression seems to be that it was a fudge and that key issues have not been resolved.  The EU's chief negotiator left no little doubt that the next stage is unlikely to be easier and may have less time.”

“Barnier indicated that substantial discussions might not begin until February or March as the UK is not clear about its aims.   He also indicated he is looking to conclude the talks by next October because of the lengthy approval process. The UK's insistence that it intends to leave the single market and customs union narrow the range of post-Brexit trade relationships that are realistically viable.”