And so as I keep trying to get across to British friends (and foes alike): this is an asymmetrical relationship. It’s not even ‘they need us more than we need them’ - it’s ‘they’re that country that had that weird episode, ok moving on to serious matters’

That the UK keeps on delaying implementing checks has to say something about the UK's inability to deal with what it has chosen.

parasocial diplomacy

🎯🎯🎯

Let’s not forget, for the EU the shock (of Brexit) was short and sharp and over 8 years ago; for the UK it was long and drawn out and frankly still isn’t over. I have colleagues working in the Commission who were school kids in 2016. For them, it’s literally history.

Don't forget to add the little soupçon of pity, the shrug of shoulders and then the frison of distaste if anyone mentions the riots and tanking economy. Nearly all of my EU friends congratulate me on my escape.

I never really saw it as that kind of trade negotiation. More of a human rights project to separate after so many years.

Exactly. "Ah Britain, I'd forgotten about them. Interesting country, lovely people, I wonder what they are doing nowadays?"