The French and German economy ministers, Bruno Le Maire and Robert Habeck, kick off high-stakes talks with US officials to underscore European concerns over President Joe Biden's ambitious climate action plan. "We are here in Washington... to defend the interest of the European industry and to ensure fair competition between the European industry and the American industry," Le Maire tells reporters before the talks, adding, "Our common goal with the US is to fight against climate change." IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES