But I thought the EU were supposedly going to immediately bow to all our demands when we started US trade talks? (and so much for that idea that Brexit wasn't distracting government from the coronavirus crisis) 
The new invented story doing the Brexit rounds is that Barnier isn't allowed to negotiate because of his rigid mandate. In reality he's in constant touch with Member States and Parliament about the state of play, what might be achieved etc. The UK on the other hand...
Two uncomfortable facts should be brought up constantly about Brexit trade talks. 1. No serious modern trade negotiation has been concluded in the timescale the UK set out, 2. Bigger players set the rules for preferential access to their markets, that includes EU and US
A government that failed to handle Coronavirus effectively in significant part because it was simultaneously failing to handle Brexit trade talks properly.
And deciding to walk out after one full and two virtual negotiating rounds at the height of a global crisis wouldn't show strength but petulance. We can't leave geographically and shouldn't leave the negotiating table.
