//...without having to abide by rules imposed on us, say through being members of a trading block or international body such as NATO, UN, ECHR etc...//
When did NJ ever mention any of those bodies? It is the European Union which was my sole concern.
Of the bodies you mention:
The UK's membership of NATO is vital for obvious reasons. NATO does not impose laws on its members which claim supremacy to domestic law. They require contributions to mutual defence capabilities, which is perfectly reasonable.
The United Nations is a waste of time and a complete joke. Other than to provide employment for politicians and diplomats it serves no useful purpose. But it does not impose laws on its members and any rulings it makes in accordance with its conventions are advisory only and it has no powers to enforce them. I've no objection to the UK being a member of the UN if it keeps politicians happy.
As far as the European Convention on Human Rights goes, I would prefer the UK to withdraw from it. It is outdated and is now being manipulated for purposes for which it was never intended. Although the UK usually abides by its court's decisions, similarly its rulings are advisory, with no powers of enforcement. However, it is not of a great concern to me as the current government is introducing measures which will bypass some of the features of the ECHR's Articles when necessary in the UK's best interests.
Trading agreements are bilateral affairs between two or more nations. They are mutually agreed to be in the interests of both parties. There are, of course, compromises to be made and trading rules to be complied with. But these rules do not usurp domestic law, they do not involve the free movement of people without constraints and they do not require the UK to forfeit its right to legislate in many areas.
So, do you see the difference? Perhaps not, especially when I read this:
// – how’s that one going for North Korea?//