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The Europe minister suggested that the isolationist streak of US President Donald Trump could catapult France and Germany into a pivotal role for the resurgence of the European project.

Mr Le Drian insisted France and Germany could become an alternative to the leadership of the United States to transform into a "stable core" for global relations.

Speaking to Euronews, the EU minister said: "We have to defend Germany. What we say and what we do, especially in France’s case, is to repeat – and President Macron has done it several times – that our destinies are linked.

"When you strike one, you strike the other, and when you reinforce one, your reinforce the other as well. When you put one into doubt, the other is put in doubt too."