"A trade deficit is a drain on a nation's wealth. "

No it isn't, the wealth of the nation increases by the value of the goods received.

"You are just making facts up. If EU goods were better they would not need tariff barriers to protect them."

Largely there aren't, and if they are they are a small proportion of the value. Consumers do not choose entirely on price, they largely choose on quality.

"As you well know the point is that it is dwindling as a proportion of our total trade which should not need spelling out."

As I well know that isn't the point at all. The point is that the absolute value is increasing. Unless you are prepared to accept that point this conversation is over. You are just misusing statistics to spread a lie, a tactic used by scumbags like Farage, and bought into by poorly educated people. Which you are not, you should not be fooled, and I suspect you are not, but you are deliberately propagating the brexiters' lie.