Imagine that Donald Trump wanted to reopen trade talks with the European Union. I know, I know, but humor me.

Suppose that the United States were to ask, in good faith, to resume the negotiations that were halted in 2016. And suppose that Brussels were to respond as follows: “We’ll discuss a trade deal with you, but with two preconditions. First, you need to give us control over the terms of your trade with third countries. From now on, we get to negotiate deals on your behalf with Canada, Mexico, and the rest. Second, we will assume administrative control over California, laying down its technical standards. Oh, and after all that, there is no guarantee that we will actually give you the trade deal.”