AP Interview: Economy chief says France is back and open for business, pledges big reforms

LAS VEGAS – France's economy minister says he's "surprised" at reports that the British economy is now bigger than the French — but acknowledges the need for big changes in his country to reinvigorate hiring and investment.

Emmanuel Macron, speaking to The Associated Press at a major electronics show in Las Vegas, says France's economy needs "more disruption" and to "accelerate our efforts for competitiveness" via lower taxes.

Macron is a controversial figure within his Socialist Party, where opponents fear he is pushing France too far toward an American-style model that doesn't do enough to protect workers and the needy.

He said late Tuesday that France is "struggling" to restart growth but there is "no official statement" confirming a report in Le Figaro newspaper that Britain's GDP had outstripped France's.