French PM Lobbies US on Weak Economy

In Washington, Fillon seeks alliance to spur Chinese revaluing
By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff
Posted May 2, 2008 8:07 AM CDT
French PM Lobbies US on Weak Economy
French Prime Minister Francois Fillon gestures as he speaks during a debate at the French National Assembly in Paris, Tuesday, April 1, 2008. The French PM is in Washington for economic talks.   (AP Photo/Francois Mori)

While Nicolas Sarkozy struggles with the sputtering French economy at home, his prime minister has traveled to Washington to spur international action. François Fillon will meet with Ben Bernanke and Hank Paulson today, where he is expected to press the US on the subprime crisis, the weak dollar, and the need for an appreciation of the Chinese yuan, reports the AP.

In an interview with the New York Times, the French prime minister said that the US and Europe have to work together to get China to revalue its currency. The recent protests during the Olympic torch relay in Paris have stoked anti-French sentiment in China, making collaboration more important than ever. "There is political pressure to be put on China, with more chance of success if we’re united," Fillon said. (More Francois Fillon stories.)

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