US economist appointed to key EU post: Macron is 'skeptical'

French President Emmanuel Macron reacted on Tuesday July 18 to the controversial appointment of an American economist to a key EU post. According to a report published on the Figaro website, French President Emmanuel Macron said he was "doubtful" on Tuesday July 18 after learning that American economist Fiona Scott Morton had been appointed to a key European Union post. for the regulation of tech giants. If we have no (European) researcher of this level to be recruited by the Commission, that means that we have a very big problem with all the European academic systems”, declared Emmanuel Macron.

The French president stressed that there should be no "reciprocity" from the United States and China for the appointment of Europeans who play a role at the heart of decisions on the continent. Last week's appointment of Scott Morton sparked heavy criticism, largely from the French establishment and the country's business community, Politico's July 17 report read. According to the report, concerns center on her US citizenship and her past work as a consultant for Big Tech companies. The European Commission and, more broadly, we Europeans are very lucky to have attracted someone of his caliber, reads the statement of French economist and Nobel laureate Jean Tirole. However, French ministers and several political groups in the European Parliament have also asked EU antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager to reconsider her decision.

Assuming the appointment goes ahead, Scott Morton will take over on September 1, becoming the first non-European to take on the sensitive role. She will advise the Commission on a wide variety of competition matters, including antitrust investigations, major mergers and government subsidies. During his three-year term, Scott Morton could also decide how to implement the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which would impose tougher rules on big tech companies.