Not sure what you are referring to - the EU are hardly being awkward.  We can’t have the benefits of being a member of the EU whilst not suffering the disadvantages.  

Of course it would be brilliant if we could remain in the Customs Union and at the same time be able to make our own trade deals with countries where we think we might do better.  Great to be in the Single Market yet not have to accept the associated cornerstone of the free movement of people.  Lovely to not be answerable to the European Court whilst our competitors in the EU are.  Be able to issue European arrest warrants but not have to accept ones raised by other countries.  To control fishing in our waters but allow our fishing boats to fish wherever they like in European waters . . . . . . . And so on and on and on.

Of course whilst we have all those advantages we wouldn’t be willing to pay into the European budget!