France is a "strong and reliable" US ally, the country's Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire says, although adding that it remains important to continue engagement with China. The minister's comments, on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank's spring meetings in Washington this week, come after French President Emmanuel Macron suggested that Europe should not be a "follower" of the United States in the event of conflict with China over Taiwan. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES