France's Europe Minister says Brexit talks are going nowhere because the UK wants to have its cake and eat it, to leave the EU and still have access to the Single Market. Strong 2018 vibes. https://twitter.com/CBeaune/status/1300707165641080832

Is this argument fair? UK says it's just asking for a basic trade deal based on precedent, like FTAs the EU has with Canada/Japan. EU officials say actually, if you delve into the small print, in many areas UK is making demands that go way beyond those and come close to SM terms.

It's true in many areas what UK is asking for is precedented/based on int'l norms. Also true in some sensitive areas it's seeking special arrangements. But in others (fishing/LPF) it's EU doing so. It'll all come down to whether both sides can find acceptable trade-offs on those.