Monday, in theory, could be the last time the United Kingdom name plate is on the table. While a Brexit extension is a near-certainty, the official departure date is still 29 March.

Uncertainty over exit day requires careful diplomacy. Today the British minister will have the chance to weigh in on the EU’s China strategy, ahead of a summit with Beijing on 9 April.

While British officials remain involved in discussions, the UK will hang back on strategic questions about how the EU should approach China. Nobody wants to be seen as lecturing European allies, while sitting in the EU departure lounge. A government spokesperson said: “The UK will continue to take a full part in discussions at the Foreign Affairs Council, focusing on those issues that matter most to the UK and EU.”

Now that British Parliament has voted against a no-deal and in favour of extending Brexit to another 3 months, Brexiters face the possibility of staying in the EU for another year in the event that they reject next week’s vote on PM May’s withdrawal deal. Global indices are pushing higher across the board and a key factor in deciding to not open a new short in indices was the relentless rally in oil prices.