Macron calls Ford's decision over Bordeaux plant 'hostile'

Reuters
French President Emmanuel Macron arrives at a European Union leaders summit in Brussels, Belgium December 14, 2018. Alastair Grant/Pool via REUTERS

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - French President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday that Ford's <F.N> decision to end production at its plant in Blanquefort, southern France next year was "hostile" and said his government was actively seeking a buyer for the site.

"As much as I believe in a social and market-driven economy, I don't believe in cynicism. So I consider the gesture made by Ford yesterday as hostile and unacceptable," Macron said, speaking after a summit of European leaders in Brussels.

The U.S carmaker said on Thursday it would end production at Blanquefort by late August 2019 after rejecting a rescue deal for the factory. The move which drew ire from France's finance minister due to the risk of large-scale job losses.

(Reporting by Michel Rose, Editing by Luke Baker)