The EU position is quite simple
The only trade deals they are likely to offer us are continuing EEA membership and customs union membership, under similar terms to now.
If we asked for those, they would bend over backwards to make them happen. (But they wouldn't drop freedom of movement for the EEA).
Since we are not asking for that, they are simply enabling us to procrastinate until we are so close to the April 2019 cut off point with no idea of the end result, that the businesses that rely of single market membership will have no choice but to commit to move to remain in the EEA. This could take 10% - 20% of our industry overseas (one estimate was 30%).
Once they have started to move, we are stuffed. Even if we get an extension, or a soft brexit.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
