Brussels Edition: Brexit Breaking Point

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A two-week clock is ticking for Brexit talks. If the U.K. wants to meet the EU’s deadline for “substantial progress” towards a deal by Oct. 17, it must submit a proposal on the Irish border issue by next Wednesday, when EU envoys begin preparations for this month’s Brexit Summit. Yesterday evening, we heard the Commission told national representatives that no such proposal had yet been received. Ambassadors meet again today to take stock, with a deal getting closer on everything else: the governance of the withdrawal agreement, geographical indications, Gibraltar and Cyprus. The Irish plan should be on its way and it should be acceptable, according to our optimistic source. There’s not much more road left to kick the Irish can down.