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Clock ticking on Brexit

As March 2019 looms, Britain and EU far from any sort of draft divorce deal while businesses vote with their feet

The European Union flag with one of the stars symbolically cut out. It is two years since Britons voted to break up with the EU and the country remains deeply divided over the best exit strategy, and whether it should reverse course. Tens of thousand — The European Union flag with one of the stars symbolically cut out. It is two years since Britons voted to break up with the EU and the country remains deeply divided over the best exit strategy, and whether it should reverse course. PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

The European Union flag with one of the stars symbolically cut out. It is two years since Britons voted to break up with the EU and the country remains deeply divided over the best exit strategy, and whether it should reverse course. Tens of thousand — Tens of thousands of people marching through London during an anti-Brexit demonstration last month. PHOTO: EPA-EFE

The European Union flag with one of the stars symbolically cut out. It is two years since Britons voted to break up with the EU and the country remains deeply divided over the best exit strategy, and whether it should reverse course. Tens of thousand — Anti-EU protesters at a demonstration in England earlier this year. British Prime Minister Theresa May’s Conservative Party is also bitterly split over whether the country should take the hard or soft approach to Brexit. PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

The European Union flag with one of the stars symbolically cut out. It is two years since Britons voted to break up with the EU and the country remains deeply divided over the best exit strategy, and whether it should reverse course. Tens of thousand — Then London Mayor Boris Johnson campaigning to leave the EU in March 2016.PHOTOS: EPA-EFE

The European Union flag with one of the stars symbolically cut out. It is two years since Britons voted to break up with the EU and the country remains deeply divided over the best exit strategy, and whether it should reverse course. Tens of thousand — Mr David Cameron, the prime minister under whose watch Britain voted to leave the EU. PHOTOS: EPA-EFE

The European Union flag with one of the stars symbolically cut out. It is two years since Britons voted to break up with the EU and the country remains deeply divided over the best exit strategy, and whether it should reverse course. Tens of thousand — A road which crosses the border from County Donegal in Ireland to County Londonderry in Northern Ireland, as seen from near the border village of Lenamore, Ireland. PHOTO: REUTERS

China Bureau Chief

Published:

Jul 3, 2018, 5:00 am SGT

With only nine months to go before Britain leaves the European Union and still with no clear sight or shape of a deal, optimism is not quite the mood of the day in the country of 65 million.

At the EU summit last week, leaders made a last call to British Prime Minister Theresa May to lay her cards on the table, warning her the bloc is preparing itself for a messy divorce with time running out.

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