The word "alignment" is being used here without being defined. Will we follow some of the same rules as the EU? Yes, inevitably. Will we have our own rules in some areas? Also yes. In which areas and what that means for trade - to be negotiated.
There's going to be a lot of this sort of language to come - alignment, equivalence, mutual recognition, regulatory coherence, regulatory cooperation - in all UK trade deals, not just with the EU. So we best define our terms.
(will write on this early in New Year)
(will write on this early in New Year)
And key questions are what are we prepared to bind by treaty (an FTA is a treaty) with who (we've already signed up for some "alignment" with the EU in the Withdrawal Agreement) in return for what, and what rules of other countries we might follow anyway.
