1/This is a good summary of the FTA in plain accessible language far from the jingoistic score card of the UK government. A few remarks from an interested observer. https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/qanda_20_2532

2/This sounds the death knell for the Brexiters' claim that the UK "only" wanted "a Canada deal". This FTA covers many areas not mentioned in the Canada FTA: social security, transport, justice & security, energy, nuclear etc. It is a massively wide agreement

3/ I will defer to experts such as @StevePeers @DavidHenigUK @CER_Grant but on a superficial reading, the agreement seems fair and balanced.The Commission notes several instances -such as mobility of individuals in non business contexts - where it wanted to go further with more

4/ generous provisions but the UK refused. On it is much better for the EU than I expected & ensure that retaliatory measures, in case of access ban, can take into account not just the direct economic loss in terms of but also societal damage to fishing communities

5/The sheer size & broad coverage of the agreement is rather awe inspiring. What a mammoth task in 11 months (even though much of this would have been to some extent drafted in advance)! No doubt there will be mistakes here or there but overall it is a huge achievement.

6/ I wonder if it will impact the way the EU negotiates other FTAs. There are many areas which envisage further future rapprochement with processes set for further discussions. My personal impression is of a UK which will be irresistibly drawn more and more closely into the EU

7/ regulatory orbit, out of the glare of tabloid press through "technical committees discussions" hidden behind a few theatrical acts of divergence to please the gallery. The EU is a true master of process...

8/All in all (despite the limitations inherent to the UK's will to leave both the SM & CU) I feel rather reassured & hopeful for both parties. A totally one sided agreement would not have been a good omen for the future. END