If you don't take into account that politicians report to their financial backers and career makers, then governments appear to be running things.
For an example,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christine_Lagarde
She's been in charge of a lot in Europe, but even in this simple wikipedia bio one can see the American establishment influence from the very outset in her schooling and early years.
If by “American establishment” you mean the liberal establishment, who aren’t very American-oriented (they’re more European-oriented), that builds the case for the stronger EU influence.