Have been expecting this particular UK-EU row, on whether UK will have to bind commitment to Paris climate change agreement. Not been in an EU agreement before (no precedent!). Has been clear EU Member States wanted it in all future deals. ft.com/content/0f09f8…
We can't say we weren't warned about the EU wanting to see climate change in trade deals. But obviously not compatible with the purist UK model of trade (unfortunately global trade isn't particularly compatible with this model) independent.co.uk/news/world/eur…
The UK's line of "of course we'll pursue the best possible environment, labour, state aid regulations, but don't want that in a treaty" is not very convincing to other countries.
It also says much about the UK Government's attitude to the EU that discussion of level playing field measures is about nasty EU trying to trap proud UK, but there's nothing about what UK might to bind in terms of EU behaviour. Victim mentality a poor basis for negotiations.
