The EU is simply sticking to the rules for the time being, Keith. Maybe I should remind you that the UK stirred up the border issue (which up to now hasn't actually been an issue at all) by calling a referendum and voting to leave the EU. We have threatened the border. The EU have not threatened anything beyond its long-standing rules apropos of the customs union and single market that we have happily been members of up to now. Trying to shift the blame on to them for the threat of instability in Ireland is just one of many of the thoroughly dishonest tactics of brexiteers. Including you.