Thread by @BrunoBrussels

Barnier says he is “strongly opposed” to Chequers white paper because it would “destroy” the EU
Interesting @michelbarnier interview with Germany’s @FAZ faz.net/aktuell/politi…

No cherry picking - he is strongly against Chequers idea of aligning with single market on goods because that includes service components, in terms of contracts such as financing and maintenance

“We have a coherent market... You can not play with it by picking it to pieces... Another reason why I strongly oppose the British proposal. There are services in every product. In your mobile phone, for example, it is 20 to 40 percent of the total value"

Chequers would “destroy” EU project - much stronger in tone than council/member states

“If we let the British pick the cherries out of our rules, that would have serious consequences. Then all sorts of other third countries could insist that we offer them the same benefits. That would be the end of the single market and the European project!"

Sources have told me that Barnier/Selmayr had to be “hauled back” when trying to kill Chequers before the cabinet meeting and white paper
“His briefing at a 5 July meeting was so extreme that people were shocked,”

Commission also surprised/annoyed A50 working group officials when it "mis-briefed" on the white paper over financial services (claiming UK wanted dispute settlement on equivalence)

In FAZ, Barnier makes case for UK staying in a customs union - this where the big fight is

“Businesses have to be careful not to use too many British parts in their vehicles in future. “Should British government decide in favour of a customs union with us, which is still possible, things would be much easier"

"In any case I advise industry to make their supply chains Brexit-proof,”

Decisions needed not emore xtensions to deadlines - Tory splits "We don't need more time. What we need are political decisions.” “We know that the situation in the United Kingdom is complicated."