I think Assange extradition to the US is retaliation for the Brexit extension.
I had thought Sweden had dropped charges against Assange and was surprised they were re-opening their extradition claim. Might be some arrangement Macron and Merkel worked out with May. Speculating further, may be O visit to Merkel (confidential in Chancellery) was to assure that the dead man switch threat was de-fused.
POTUS responding with UK and EU Trade/Tarifs threat so US can shove aside Sweden for the extradition claim. Bigger hammer on Iran rolled out, too. A lot of shit under that rock, methinks. Now dead man switch take down is irrelevant if source himself is ready to talk in US
European industry must be getting fed up with the uncertainty. EU bigs can't protect their companies any more. POTUS playing hard ball.