[Sephiroth]

Originally Posted by 1andrew1

The EU set out at the start of the negotiations what was required of the UK if it wanted a certain level of access so it's four years too late for people to start whingeing that these do not match the dreams they were sold by Vote Leave and Leave EU. We all need to move on and accept the new reality.

The deal with Canada is more than just intellectual property rights, as my extract demonstrates and I think you accept this now so our views are now not so far apart. It also shows that you and I agree that the UK would need to build on the enhanced playing field with firmer support due to the UK's EU proximity and size. That's all part of the gravity of trade which I have tried to explain to people but never seems to sink in before they start talking up Mexico, India etc.

on your first paragraph, you’ve sort of nailed it. “The EU set out ....”. In other words their terms, cake and all. That’s my point.

On your 2nd paragraph, I believe their proximity argument to be spurious grounds for tight level playing field. My perception is that they want to punish us.

Our disagreement is fundamental on principle except, I hope, that the Canadian model is fine.