The big concern in the corridors of power in Brussels is that Brexit essentially creates a dangerous competitor right on the EU’s doorstep, right at a time when the bloc is trying to compete against the likes of China, India and the United States.
Over the next eleven months, their negotiators will likely try to convince the UK to sign up to the most important EU rules in exchange for a lucrative trade agreement that offers complete or near-complete access to the single market.
In Brussels’ ideal scenario, the British government will take a deal of that nature and make its peace with being a ‘rule-taker’, thus nulling the threat of UK businesses undercutting their continental European rivals.
During a teary press conference by the three presidents of the EU institutions on Friday, head of the Council Charles Michel said “we wish to have the closest ties possible with Great Britain.”
Whether that pans out is another matter, but as of next week the battle...