Northern Ireland could be adversely impacted by the UK's new negotiating position on Brexit, as there is still no clarity on how trade between it and the rest of Great Britain will remain unfettered, according to the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium (NIRC).
On Thursday, the UK government has outlined a new set of negotiating objectives for the next phase of Brexit, stating that if no trade deal with the EU can be struck by June, it will put in place preparations for a 'no-deal' trade situation.
"We will not be seeking to dynamically align with EU rules on EU terms governed by EU laws and EU institutions," Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Michael Gove said in a statement, adding that all negotiations will be undertaken "without prejudice and with full respect to the Northern Ireland Protocol".