Switzerland and Norway are not free to make trade deals by themselves. They too opted to be part of the economic block even though they aren't full member states.

Going for the type of deal these countries have with the EU would have been very smart. You still get to have your borders, you are not paying in, etc. But trade deals are approved by the whole bloc. If you don't want that then you are less integrated with the European economy than Turkey.

Honestly, if you aren't aware of the different layers of collaboration within Europe (with an EU member state being the highest form), you really shouldn't pretend to be able to say anything meaningful about it.

This is so far removed from reality, i have to ask: which Murdoch outlet has been misinforming you?