Will the UK’s “exit bill” thwart Brexit negotiations?

Once Article 50 has been triggered, one of the first things that will be discussed is the UK’s “divorce settlement” – or the degree to which the UK will cover its share of pending EU commitments and liabilities. The EU Chief Negotiator’s likely opening gambit of €60bn (or about £50bn) for the UK’s exit bill seems to take a fairly extensive view of the UK’s liabilities. But even a smaller bill may still prove unpalatable for the UK, suggesting that the issue may not be resolved particularly quickly.