8/ According to Brussels source, the brexit stumbling blocks remaining be state aid, maintaining standards in climate change, employment relations and environment protection. Not fish.

Interesting that climate change explicitly in this list.

9/ As a happy coincidence highlighting differences in environment standards might allow Brussels to throw a spanner in the works of Boris Johnson's pitch to Biden on climate change.

EU types asking whether US can trust BJ on climate if he wont agree to EU standards.

10/ (NB climate change as a brexit stumbling block isn't new - it's just a section of the wider level playing field dispute - though it's the first time I've seen it pulled out and referenced specifically.

Interesting timing.)

11/ In conclusion, don't assume that because President Elect Biden would could kick up if there's no deal, that there *will* be a deal. This week is key.

But also watch if Brussels start to question our climate change credentials just as BJ seeks to work together with US on COP

TL:DR - Brexit's back

Oh I ought to add. I checked in with one key member state. They were surprised climate change was on the list of problems. They hadn’t clocked it as an issue to be separated out...

From @alexwickham Playbook