According to the newspaper, the document calls on the UK government to "revise its negotiation position", noting that ensuring a level playing field — common standards on environment, workers' rights and state subsidies for companies — is the key condition for Brussels to accept a trade deal.
Although EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier hinted last week at a possible concession regarding state aid, refusing to back EU's initial demand for the UK to stipulate European rules in its law, the leaked document stated that all EU standards should be safeguarded in a trade deal to avoid a "race to the bottom".
The fourth round of talks between the United Kingdom and the European Union on their future trade partnership ended on 5 June with no significant progress.