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I think you have misunderstood what I mean by relative strength.
The UK, at the moment, does not have a two year ticking clock counting down the time by which it needs to have all of it's exit formally negotiated.
During that two years, the EU (and possibly anywhere else with whom the UK needs to negotiate) will have distinct advantages, insofar as the UK needs them more than they need the UK.
The relative strength of the UK now (from a negotiating perspective) is as compared to the UK once Article 50 is triggered. It's not going to evolve. It's going to get weaker.
Germany knows this. The EU knows this. Unsurprisingly, they would like their positions to be as strong as possible too.
Time will tell whether Germany is posturing or not.
NotThamesWater-
I did misunderstand you. Sorry.
Not sure how UK has strength (or more relative strength) before they press that button though or how Germany might have less. I think it's apparent that pressing it at some point is inevitable. Unless the only leverage is 'We'll take our time because that maximises uncertainty and, with it, damage to other European economies.' Which would be hooliganism.
Fintan
'It's posturing if the German government are saying it unilaterally.'
It's not.
And how is this relative strength going to evolve? Only Brexiters believe strength for the UK to be decreed by the natural order of things. It seems more likely that the damage is going to become more apparent as time passes.