Macron Rules Out Nationalization as ArcelorMittal Faces Job Cuts in France
French President Emmanuel Macron confirms support for ArcelorMittal’s Dunkirk and Fos-sur-Mer sites amid rising concerns over potential job losses.
On May 13, 2025, President Emmanuel Macron addressed the ongoing crisis facing ArcelorMittal, the world’s second-largest steelmaker, as the company announced the potential elimination of around 600 jobs across seven industrial sites in northern France, including locations in Dunkirk and Fos-sur-Mer.
During an interview on TF1, Macron emphasized that the government would not pursue nationalization of the company’s French operations, instead advocating for guarantees to support its development and protect the European market.
Macron stated, 'The response is not to nationalize but to have guarantees of development,' and highlighted the necessity of implementing safeguard clauses to protect the European steel industry.
He reiterated a commitment to preserving the Dunkirk and Fos sites without resorting to state ownership, insisting on a European policy to ensure the competitiveness of French steel.
The conversation surfaced ongoing fears among employees, as speculation surrounding the potential nationalization of ArcelorMittal’s French facilities was prevalent, especially in light of recent public demonstrations by workers advocating for governmental intervention.
Gaétan Lecocq, a representative from the CGT union at the Dunkirk site, questioned why France was unable to adopt similar measures that had been taken by other nations, such as Italy and the United Kingdom.
Supporters among the gathered employees chanted slogans reflecting their demands, asking for 'metal without Mittal.'
Concerns over deindustrialization emerged prominently during discussions held in multiple forums, including a central workplace meeting in Saint-Denis and a session of the European works council in Luxembourg.
Union representatives attributed a lack of sufficient investments in production tools to an ongoing, quiet process of deindustrialization at ArcelorMittal.
The company anticipates a total of 1,400 job reductions across Europe, primarily in support functions, which has prompted further criticism from the European works council due to inadequate information from management regarding the overall costs and risks associated with this strategy.
Francis Carru, a Dunkirk employee, expressed disbelief over the announced job cuts, emphasizing the urgency of the situation and protesters’ messages focused on retaining local jobs.
The issue of job losses was also raised in relation to broader economic implications, with allegations that the company prioritizes its European assets as 'cash cows.' Eric Coquerel, a member of the French National Assembly, characterized ArcelorMittal’s conduct as part of a larger trend of production relocation that poses an immediate risk to local jobs.
Additionally, the continuation of ArcelorMittal’s decarbonization projects in France has emerged as a pivotal factor for the future of the steel industry in the country.
In late 2024, the company delayed a critical investment decision totaling €1.8 billion—over €800 million of which was promised by the state—intended for the electrification of the Dunkirk blast furnaces.
ArcelorMittal attributed this delay to the perceived lack of competitiveness of steel produced in Europe.
As recent quarterly results exceeded expectations, the company has urged the European Commission for expedited implementation of its steel recovery plan to enhance competitiveness.
The chairman of ArcelorMittal France, Alain le Grix de la Salle, is scheduled to appear before a parliamentary inquiry on May 20 to address these ongoing issues.
During an interview on TF1, Macron emphasized that the government would not pursue nationalization of the company’s French operations, instead advocating for guarantees to support its development and protect the European market.
Macron stated, 'The response is not to nationalize but to have guarantees of development,' and highlighted the necessity of implementing safeguard clauses to protect the European steel industry.
He reiterated a commitment to preserving the Dunkirk and Fos sites without resorting to state ownership, insisting on a European policy to ensure the competitiveness of French steel.
The conversation surfaced ongoing fears among employees, as speculation surrounding the potential nationalization of ArcelorMittal’s French facilities was prevalent, especially in light of recent public demonstrations by workers advocating for governmental intervention.
Gaétan Lecocq, a representative from the CGT union at the Dunkirk site, questioned why France was unable to adopt similar measures that had been taken by other nations, such as Italy and the United Kingdom.
Supporters among the gathered employees chanted slogans reflecting their demands, asking for 'metal without Mittal.'
Concerns over deindustrialization emerged prominently during discussions held in multiple forums, including a central workplace meeting in Saint-Denis and a session of the European works council in Luxembourg.
Union representatives attributed a lack of sufficient investments in production tools to an ongoing, quiet process of deindustrialization at ArcelorMittal.
The company anticipates a total of 1,400 job reductions across Europe, primarily in support functions, which has prompted further criticism from the European works council due to inadequate information from management regarding the overall costs and risks associated with this strategy.
Francis Carru, a Dunkirk employee, expressed disbelief over the announced job cuts, emphasizing the urgency of the situation and protesters’ messages focused on retaining local jobs.
The issue of job losses was also raised in relation to broader economic implications, with allegations that the company prioritizes its European assets as 'cash cows.' Eric Coquerel, a member of the French National Assembly, characterized ArcelorMittal’s conduct as part of a larger trend of production relocation that poses an immediate risk to local jobs.
Additionally, the continuation of ArcelorMittal’s decarbonization projects in France has emerged as a pivotal factor for the future of the steel industry in the country.
In late 2024, the company delayed a critical investment decision totaling €1.8 billion—over €800 million of which was promised by the state—intended for the electrification of the Dunkirk blast furnaces.
ArcelorMittal attributed this delay to the perceived lack of competitiveness of steel produced in Europe.
As recent quarterly results exceeded expectations, the company has urged the European Commission for expedited implementation of its steel recovery plan to enhance competitiveness.
The chairman of ArcelorMittal France, Alain le Grix de la Salle, is scheduled to appear before a parliamentary inquiry on May 20 to address these ongoing issues.
