Don't agree with much of what @anandMenon1 writes here - in particular I think we have to see a lot of the EU approach to Brexit in terms of responding to the UKs failure to realise we couldn't retain trade benefits of EU membership while leaving
It's also perfectly normal for the Commission to lead negotiations with external countries, as the UK will be, and prioritise maintaining unity among diverse Member States, who were heavily involved in the process. Also to put EU interests first.
EU inflexibility in approach to external negotiations is by design and has generally brought them results, if not always ones liked by those on the other side of negotiations. UK has to show rather more understanding if we're to get the relationship we want.
