Liberal Europe Suffers Setback as Top American Economist Faces French Rejection
The French have a knack for saying “No” when it comes to critical decisions. From Charles De Gaulle’s rejection of Britain’s bid to join the European Economic Community to Jacques Chirac’s opposition to the Iraq war, and now Emmanuel Macron’s disapproval of Fiona Scott Morton as the top economist at the EU’s competition directorate, their firm stance is evident.
Although the incident involving Scott Morton may seem minor compared to other debates and conflicts, it reveals a lot about the EU’s current unease regarding America’s influence and power. Macron’s vision of a Europe that stands up to the U.S. and avoids being mere followers of American policies has gained traction in Brussels.
The rejection of Scott Morton brings to mind a past suspicion that the U.S. was conspiring against the EU’s plans for economic and monetary union. French officials have demonstrated an unwillingness to accept her as the best candidate despite her impressive credentials and backing from influential figures such as Margrethe Vestager and Ursula von der Leyen.
Scott Morton’s previous work for tech giants like Apple, Amazon, and Microsoft has been perceived negatively by the French, showing a lack of understanding of the concept of “poacher turned gamekeeper.” Many across Europe believe her knowledge of U.S. antitrust policies should be an advantage, not a disadvantage.
The rejection of Scott Morton effectively amounts to a rejection of Vestager, whose second term as competition commissioner has faced challenges and opposition from French industrialist Thierry Breton, who oversees the EU’s internal market.
To succeed in a post-Brexit EU, member states must adopt a more assertive approach to competition policy, fostering the development of national or pan-European champions while addressing anti-competitive practices and subsidies. However, such a shift indicates that “liberal Europe” is currently facing setbacks and challenges, reflecting a shift in power dynamics within the EU.
