Diplomatic theatrics at last week's Brussels summit revealed how European Union leaders will coax Theresa May over the next two months into parting with tens of billions of euros in return for a post-Brexit trade deal.
The British prime minister gave away nothing hardliners in her Conservative cabinet can beat her with. She stuck to earlier vague concessions about honoring commitments and insisting a "Brexit bill," which the EU reckons at around €60 billion (¥8 trillion), must be part of a package deal on what Britain's relationship with the EU will be once it leaves in March 2019.
Sticking to their own script, the other 27 states gave May until the next regular summit in eight weeks to improve an offer officials estimate at about €20 billion if she wants them to start discussing future trade ties. Miss that deadline and, the EU says, time will be running out for any deal.