The UK needs to clarify what 'full regulatory alignment' means before the next phase of the Brexit talks

In December, EU leaders agreed to move to the next stage of the Brexit talks, but there is still a degree of uncertainty over the issue of the Irish border. Anthony Costello argues that among the most pressing concerns is the need to define the UK's commitment to have 'regulatory alignment' with the EU following Brexit. It is still unclear how the UK can leave the EU’s customs union, pursue its own trading arrangements with other countries, and yet avoid the creation of a hard Irish border.