But in this instance, there is a strong case that EU authorities are being too stubborn for their own good. Even European car companies are begging Brussels to soften the blow.
There are reasons for optimism. Ministers believe that more and more EU member states are shifting to the British position, and a deal may be in sight. This would be much-needed good news for Mr Sunak, who faces persistent political headwinds. The problem is that if he does score a win here, voters will not notice; not having suffered the consequences of the tariffs going ahead, they will not be grateful that they were cancelled.
This keeps happening. We have a Prime Minister whose main goals all amount to averting disaster, whether on the economy or the NHS or migration. And what is attractive about a vision that amounts only to “things won’t get worse”?