Looks like the main preparation the UK made for this round of EU talks was to ensure they got their debrief lines out before or at the same time as Barnier.
Best not think too much about the substance of the statement. Why do we think a standard FTA could be completed in time available "without major difficulties" when this would be unprecedented. The LPF references are wrong, and accusing the EU of being ideological... 
At least we'll see UK text next week, though that won't help much. For the fundamental problem is the same in talks with the EU and US - they are bigger and expect to get their way in trade agreements on most things. UK government has so far refused to accept this.
Where do we go from here? UK government has to decide whether to walk away (which will look bad givien coronavirus crisis) or keep going. But soon have to make the deal v no-deal decision, because the EU will only move slightly.
While no-deal is politically attractive costs in terms of trade barriers including within the UK will soon become apparent, claiming victory on the basis of minor concessions and fudging the details as per Northern Ireland protocol is the lower risk option.
And importantly - remember trade talks making little progress in early rounds is normal. It is the unrealistic deadline that is forcing unusual behaviour on both sides.
View on some issues in what both sides are saying. Obviously plenty of that is for public consumption for their respective audiences. Because ultimately it doesn't matter what the UK thinks of EU asks or vice versa - just whether compromises can be found.
Can compromises be found in which the EU moves a little and the UK a little more (based on respective size not on who's right or wrong)?
Yes. If both sides want that to happen.
To be dtermined if they do.
Yes. If both sides want that to happen.
To be dtermined if they do.
