How Brexit talks turned into a learning experience for the UK

Europe correspondent Jon Stone reviews Britain’s confused dealings with the EU since the referendum in 2016

David Davis and Michel Barnier at one of their joint press conferences kicking off a week of negotiations in August 2017 (AFP/Getty)

The first calling point of the UK’s negotiator immediately after Brexit will not be Brussels, it will be Berlin, to strike a deal,” said Conservative MP David Davis, a month before the 2016 EU referendum.

At the time a backbencher, Davis painted a picture in which “a UK-German deal would include free access for their cars and industrial goods, in exchange for a deal on everything else”. Similar deals would be reached with other key EU nations, he said.

“France would want to protect £3bn of food and wine exports. Italy, its £1bn fashion exports. Poland its £3bn manufacturing exports,” he went on, concluding: “Trade negotiations are exercises in mutual self-interest.”