breaking an international treaty is hardly "an internal affair". The EU is required, under the terms of the Treaty, to give 12 months notice of cancelling the TCA. They could do so now - or as soon as Truss confirms she is proceeding with the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill and/or A.16 - and still have 12 months to change their minds. It would be like serving the UK notice that breaking the Withdrawal Agreement will have severe consequences in the near future unless she turns back from her confrontational approach.

In practice, in the short-term, it would also add to the uncertainty facing the UK economy, and would heap pressure on her to come to an agreement quickly.

Index of Frank's Diaries